jmjohnson-author

Reading and Writing to Share

Feb. 5, 2022

What to do when I'm not writing?

Sometimes a break from the computer is in order. Today I dug out an old recipe and baked some buns. I have used this very simple recipe for fifty years and it has always done me proud. I think I got it from my mother-in-law, who made the best bread in the world. You just had to disregard the cigarette ashes sometimes. MMM, maybe that's what made it so delicious. Anyway, here is the recipe in case you have a few hours to kill.

WHITE BREAD (I have used whole flour, but it doesn't rise as well)

Step 1 - Dissolve 2 teaspoons of sugar in 1 cup of lukewarm water. Add two envelopes of yeast, let stand for 10 minutes. Then stir briskly with a fork and add it to:

2 cups scalded milk

1/4 cup sugar

4 tsp salt

1/4 cup shortening

Stir until the shortening is melted. (I have always used lard)

Beat in 5 cups of flour.

Add another 4 1/2 to 5 cups flour and work in with your hands.

Knead for 8 to 10 minutes.

Shape into a smooth ball, cover and let rise for 1 1/2 hours.

Punch down, and divide into four balls.

Let rise for another 15 minutes.

Punch down, shape and let rise 1 1/4 hours.

Bake at 425F for 20 - 30 minutes.

Eat warm with melted butter. Nummy!

In the second book of "the Incident" - What Happened to Tara, Tara learns how to make sourdough bread. You can get the book here.