• In an effort to ensure that my kids are able to cook and feed themselves once they move away from my home I have been doing my best to teach them basic cooking skills. Tonight we mastered a basic bread recipe. One that was fool proof, pretty much can never go wrong, and requires no kneading. Amazing right? For the longest time I avoided making breads because I just knew that I hated kneading. Never mind that I had never even tried kneading, I just didn’t like the idea of kneading.
    Here is the super simple recipe. Be sure to help the kids measure, although admittedly this is a very forgiving bread.

    1 packet of yeast
    2 cups warm water
    1 tbsp sugar
    4 cups flour (we have used many different varieties of flours here, from straight whole wheat, regular all purpose, to bread flour and every combination thereof. Our favorite combo is 3 cups whole wheat and 1 cup bread flour, but use what you have. It will still be yummy.)
    1 tbsp salt
    4 tbsp melted butter
    1 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary dried works well here too
    Olive oil
    Corn meal

    Bloom your yeast with the warm water and the sugar for about ten minutes or so. When the yeast mixture is good and bubbly add the flour and salt and combine into a sticky dough. (You can sometimes mix in a cup or so of cheddar cheese for variety!) Cover with a damp towel and allow to rise until doubled in size, about an hour to an hour and a half.

    Coat your baking surface with olive oil and a sprinkle of cornmeal.
    Divide your dough in half. You can freeze half, or make both loaves now. We eat a lot of bread so always make both. With floured hands shape your dough into domes. Place them on your prepared baking sheet. Cover again with a towel and allow to rise for one more hour.

    Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Brush your melted butter over your dough and sprinkle with rosemary and additional salt. Bake your bread for about 25 minutes. If you’re like me those 25 minutes will be painful. Waiting for fresh baked bread is hard.

    When your bread is done allow it to cool or at least until you don’t burn yourself when you try to eat it.