BAKING BREAD BY SARAH

  In Christchurch, New Zealand I learned how to make bread by watching my mom. Then, helping her out by getting her ingredients.  Then, making my own bread with her help, until I could do it by myself.  Now I want to share my recipe with you.

First, I put 6 cups of flour, a stick of softened butter, 2 eggs, and 1 teaspoon of salt into a large bowl.  Usually, my mom makes a hole in the middle of the ingredients to put the yeast water in and so do I.  To make the yeast water, I put 2 table spoons of sugar (any kind, but I prefer brown sugar) into 1/2 cup really warm water into a mug.  To tell if the water is the right temperature, I put my finger in the water and when I can hold it there for 10 seconds but no longer, it is the right temperature.  Then, I mix in 2 tablespoons of active dry yeast and wait 5 minutes until I see lots of froth.  That is when the yeast has grown enough.   
  
Next,  I put the yeast water in the flour hole and nead it with my hands. And I add water until the dough is sticky, but not wet.  Once I don't see any dry flour left in the bowl or around the bread dough, it is time to let the bread rise in a warm spot. I let the bread rise for about three hours. 

Finally, when the bread has doubled in size, I punch it down and nead all the air out of it.  Then, I roll it out flat with a jar or rolling pin, if you have one.  We us a jar, because we don't have a rolling pin.  To make plain bread, just roll up the flattened dough into a roll and put it on a greased sheet.  But, if I want cinnamon bread, I sprinkle cinnamon and sugar on top of the flattened dough before rolling it up. Then I let the rolled dough rise again for about 1/2 hour when it is almost doubled in size.  Then I cook it in the oven at 180 degrees Celsius for 20-30 minutes.  I can tell when it is done when the outside is golden brown and when you stick a toothpick or wooden spoon handle in it and it comes out clean.  When the bread is cooking, it smells really good.

My favorite part of baking bread is the eating part after I cook it.  I like to eat my bread while it is still hot with lots of salted butter.  The warm bread melts the butter and it tastes yummy and salty.
    

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<><><><><><><><>SARAH ROLPH :):):):):):):):)