How to Make Basic Bread

Ingredients

• 2 tsp sugar
• 2 cups lukewarm water
• 1 envelope of dry yeast (1/2 oz)
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 Tbsp vegetable oil

Instructions

1. Dissolve 1 teaspoon of the sugar in 1/2 cup of the lukewarm water, and sprinkle with the yeast. Let stand for 10 minutes. The yeast should become frothy.
    
   
2. In a large bowl, sift the flour with the remaining 1 teaspoon sugar and the salt. Make a well in the center and add the dissolved yeast, the rest of the water, and the oil to the well.
    
   
3. Mix with a wooden spoon, adding a little extra water if necessary to form a smooth dough. Once the ingredients are mixed, shape the dough into a ball.
    
   
4. Place the dough on a generously floured working surface, and knead it with regular movements until it’s firm and elastic and no longer sticks.
    
   
5. Rub a little oil on the outside of the dough, and place it in a lightly greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let stand in a warm place until the dough rises to double its initial volume (about 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours).
    
   
6. Punch the dough with your fist to release the bubbles of carbon dioxide. Turn the dough out on the work surface and knead it again.
    
   
7. Divide the dough into two portions.
    
   
8. Grease a cookie sheet. Form the two portions of dough into balls and place them on the cookie sheet. Let the dough rise again for about 30–50 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350°F.
    
   
9. Bake the loaves for 30 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown.