Denise’s Easy Bread

My friend Denise gave me this super easy recipe years ago. I didn’t make this one up. It makes one rustic loaf for you and one to share with a friend. Even if you can’t bake bread, you can make this.  One recipe goes a long way and there are endless variations.  Use your imagination and see what you come up with

1 pkg yeast
2 c warm water
1 ¼ t salt
1 T sugar
6-7 c flour
desired filler

Filler Ideas:
•  Sliced kalamata olives, minced garlic, and rosemary
•  Parmesan cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, & herbs
•  Cinnamon, sugar, and raisins

I have never measured these! I eyeball it and try to put enough in to evenly distribute throughout bread.

Dissolve yeast in water; add salt & sugar.  Add flour 1 cup at a time.  When dough is mixed, shape into a ball.  Grease top.  Cover & let stand until double in a warm place.  Knead in filler (olives, garlic, parmesan, cheddar, herbs, sun dried tomatoes, cinnamon/raisin filling…. whatever!)  Turn onto a lightly floured surface and shape into two logs (or rounds, if you’re making round bread).  Put on a sheet sprinkled with cornmeal.  Brush water on top & let stand at least 5 minutes.  Put a pan of water on the lower shelf in the oven.

Put bread on the upper shelf.  Turn oven on to 400 degrees and bake for 45 minutes.