Nathan's Bread

Steve and I have a neighbor named Nathan.  He likes to play games with Steve.  He also likes to make yummy things for us to eat.  One of our favorites is his bread.  Because he's that kind of friend, he shared the recipe with us.  It works best to add the ingredients in the order shown.





It starts with 1 and 1/2 cups of water (better if the water is warm; bad if the water is hot).





Next add 2 tablespoons of butter (if Steve's making the bread, he uses margarine.  I always use real butter).





2 teaspoons of salt.





4 cups of flour.  I like to sneak in one cup of whole wheat flour.  It's healthier that way.





2 tablespoons of dry milk and 2 tablespoons of sugar.





2 and 1/4 teaspoons of yeast.  We buy the yeast in one pound bags at Sam's Club (it's super expensive in the village, so we like to have a year's supply).

Mix all the ingredients together.  Knead until smooth and elastic.  We use a bread machine on the dough setting.





Shape the loaf and place it in a greased loaf pan.





Let rise until double in size.





Bake at 350 degrees for thirty minutes, or until the bread sounds hollow when thumped.  Rub butter over the top of the loaf when removed from the oven.  Remove from loaf pan, tip loaf on its side, and enjoy warm!

Here's the recipe all together for easy reference:

1 and 1/2 cups water
2 tablespoons butter
2 teaspoons salt
4 cups flour
2 tablespoons dry milk
2 tablespoons sugar
2 and 1/4 teaspoons yeast

Mix all the ingredients together.  Knead until smooth and elastic.  Shape the loaf and place it in a greased loaf pan.  Let rise until double in size.  Bake at 350 degrees for thirty minutes, or until the bread sounds hollow when thumped.  Rub butter over the top of the loaf when removed from the oven.  Remove from loaf pan, and tip loaf on its side.