The REAL Wonder Bread

I am a firm believer that making bread is indeed one of the easiest things in the world. Seriously! And I have to thank my MOM for making it sound so amazingly easy. First thing you have to do is get yourself a bread machine - from WalMart or Sears to DI or Savers, it doesn't matter how much you spend on one as long as it works. Then, on your way home, make sure you stop at a bookstore like Barnes & Noble or Borders and chose a nice and simple bread making cookbook for bread machine - in case your bread machine doesn't provide you with one. Last stop before you get home is at a local supermarket to buy the ingredients. Never done this before? Here is a list that will help you get started get started:

- white flour

- whole wheat and/or rye flower

- semolina (durum wheat) flower (for pizza dough)

- vegetable and olive oils

- butter or margarine

- salt

- sugar (brown or caster, preferable) and/or honey

- yeast (for bread machine or rapid rise)

- seeds (flax, poppy or sesame)

- nonfat milk powder

- italian seasoning

- a few different extracts (such as: banana, orange, maple, vanilla, butter, almond, coconut) 

- nutmeg and cinnamon

With these basic ingredients in your pantry, you can get the party started in your kitchen with fresh homemade bread everyday! I hope you enjoy and try the recipes below. Ciao!

Bread #1 - Italian Bread

Ingredients: 9oz warm water - 1 tsp salt or Sazon seasoning for salads - 2 tbsp olive oil - italian seasoning (to taste) - 1 cup (approx. 8oz) white flour - 1 cup (approx. 8oz) whole wheat flour - 1 1/4 tbsp set of sugar or honey - 1 1/2 tsp yeast

Directions: add ingredients in the order above into bucket of bread machine. Select 'rapid wheat' and choose crust (light, medium or dark). It will be ready in around 2hrs and 45 mins (dependeing on bread machine). 

Suggestion: serve with soup, black olives and a mixture of extra olive oil and balsamic vinegar on a separate plate. 

Bread# 2 - Sweet & Sour Bread 

Ingredients: 9oz cold water - 1 tsp salt - 2 tbsp butter or margarine - 2 tbsp of butter/almond/maple extract - 1 tbsp nutmeg or 1 tsp cinnamon - 2 cups (approx. 16oz) white flour - 1/4 cup whole wheat or rye flour - 2 tbsp set of sugar - 2 1/2 tsp yeast

Directions: add ingredients in the order above into bucket of bread machine. Select 'rapid white' and choose crust dark. Bread will be ready in less than 2hrs (depending on bread machine).

Suggestion: serve while hot with butter or honey butter, tea w/ milk and fresh fruit or fruit juice. Makes a great addition to breakfast or even just to add a little bit of a  sweet taste to sandwiches and toasts.

Suggestion 2: you can also choose 'dough' to prevent baking in the bread machine. Instead, right after kneading stops, make small balls or rolls using your hands and place them on muffin trays. Let dough rest for at least 1hr. Bake is pre-heated oven at 350 degrees. I call them bruffins!