1. In a large warmed pottery bowl place the first 1 cup of lukewarm water. Dissolve into it 1 t. white sugar and sprinkle the yeast over it. 2. After about 10 minutes the yeast should be frothy and have risen to the surface of the water. Stir until blended, making sure all the yeast is dissolved. 3. Into the yeast mixture stir the remaining water, white sugar,1 heaping T. of salt and oil. 4. Beat, then stir in, 1 cup at a time, the flour. 5. Mix until it requires muscle. You may not need all the flour. The dough should hang together and be easy to handle, but still a little moist. 6. On a floured surface, place the dough, sprinkle with more flour as needed, and knead until the dough is smooth and elastic. This usually takes about 8 minutes. 7. Place the dough back in the bowl, cover with plastic and a nice heavy towel, and let rise in a warm draft free place. ( I usually only bake bread on sunny days.). 8. Let dough rise for 1-2 hours or until it's doubled in size. When you stick your finger in the dough the imprint should remain. 9. Punch the dough down and form into loaves. 10. Place the loaves into well greased loaf pans, cover and let rise again- about an hour. 11. Bake in a 400 degree oven for about 20 minutes, until golden top and bottom, and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom. 12. Remove from pans and let cool on a rack. 13. * To make hamburger buns,roll about 1/2 inch thick, cut the dough with a wide glass(I use the top of a martini shaker)and place buns on a greased cookie sheet, not quite touching. I usually add a good portion of grated old cheddar cheese to the dough before cutting the rounds and letting it rise for the second time. Just before baking at 425 for 10-15 minutes, I make an egg wash with one egg mixed with 1 T. water and sprinkle with sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or for a real treat Montreal Steak Spice. They freeze very well. Makes about 20 buns. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
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