Bread

This one has a full stamp of approval from all 7 of us!! Two loaves just aren't enough, especially if we have extra teenagers over. During 1 week I made 6 loaves and felt like that was alot. Then I remembered that mom used to make 4-5 loaves with each batch she did and sometimes that was more than once a week. Way to go Mom!

From what mom tells me I learned how to make bread when I was 8 and even though we did have a bread mixer for a good part of my growing up years, I still don't like breadmakers (different from bread mixer). To me it is easier to mix the dough and do the whole process than depend on a breadmaker to do it taking longer time and producing only 1 loaf. If you think I'm crazy, that is ok. I have been told that before concerning my bread theories.

I make this bread with a little whole wheat flour and ground flax but you can just use white flour in place of the WW and flax.

In a large mixing bowl combine:

1 1/2 TBSP yeast

1 TBSP sugar

1/2 cup warm water

Let rise for a few minutes

In a microwave dish heat for 1 minute:

1 cup water

1/2 cup milk

2 TBSP butter/margarine

Pour into yeast mixture and add:

1 cup whole wheat flour

1/3 cup ground flax

2 TBSP sugar

2 tsp salt

Mix well and then add:

3 cups flour (and a little more if needed to make dough manageable but not stiff)

Knead just until mixed well, not too long or it will be a stiff bread. Let rise 15-20 minutes, punch down and shape into 2 loaves. Place in 2 large greased bread pans and let rise. Bake 400 for 10 minutes, then 350 for 20-25 minutes until loaf is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.

If your kids are like mine, eat the 'heel' before the kids get to it. It is the best part of the bread!