Monday, September 20, 2010

Water Bread and Rolls

Yes, you read that right. Water Bread and Water Rolls. Two things out of one easy recipe.

Seriously, this is the epitome of bread. It's as basic as they get, with a very delicate flavor. And, for those of you with "small" (Translation: normal sized) families, you can make this work for two nights. But let's not get ahead of ourselves.

WATER BREAD AND ROLLS

Adapted from Fannie Farmer's Cookbook, published around 1990-something.


2 cups warm water
2 tbsp butter
1 tbsp sugar
1-1/2 tsp salt

6 tsp yeast
5 to 6 cups flour

Pour the water into your bread machine bucket or mixing bowl, sprinkle the
yeast over it, drop the butter in small chunks into it, then add 4 cups flour, the sugar and salt. Let the dough mix for about 3 minutes, then sprinkle another cup of flour into it. If needed, add up to another cup of flour to give the dough the proper texture. Let it rise about 15 minutes.

Punch down and divide the dough in half. Flatten one half, then roll it jelly roll style, so it fits into a loaf pan. Divide the other half into 8 pieces, and arrange them in a pie plate. Let both rise until doubled in bulk, then bake at 350F for glass pans or 375F for metal pans, about 25 minutes for the rolls and 35 to 40 minutes for the bread loaf.

For those of you with small families, you can cover the top of one pan with a piece of oiled waxed paper, then cover the waxed paper with a loose sheet of plastic wrap, and pop the pan into the refrigerator until the next day. Voila! Fresh bread the second day, as well.
This bread made terrific sandwiches, because the flavor of the bread doesn't overpower the filling. It's also neither salty nor sweet - exactly as bread should be! Thank you, Fannie Farmer!

And Thor has been vigilant all day, but still no furnace man. Happily, it's sunny and 63, so Thor's not howling piteously that dogs need central heating!

8 comments:

Lapdog Creations said...

Poor Thor... Zeus says he needs a blankie! :)

That bread sounds really easy... now if only I could get the urge to bake!

Pam said...

I am totally in the mood to bake bread...this looks like the perfect recipe.

Hugs to Thor.

Linda said...

:( Still no furnace here either...the oven might just help;) It's a balmy 62* in here today....almost hot!

SissySees said...

Sissy thinks Thor will need a cowl. She doesn't like to wear clothes either - unless there's two feet of snow on the ground - but she loves her cowls.

That bread recipe is very similar to one of my go-to versions. Did I tell you I gave our bread machine to a 22 yr. old boy - er, man? - at the firehouse? He's having a ball.

Mickle in NZ said...

Lovely bread - I hope Thor got some coz he doesn't look very happy waiting for the "furnace fixit bod".

Just as well darling Thor doesn't do stairs, or he'd find heaps of well padded mattresses up there.

Sending care, huggles and hope for long lasting furnce repairs,

Michelle xxx (Zeb is sleeping soundlessly - whispered hooray from me)

Jennifer said...

Pam sent me over I love your blog and Thor of course! The bread looks yummy and easy enough!

gMarie said...

yea Thor photos and it's not even Thursday! Your bread always looks good and sounds easy - too bad I know the truth. :( g

tavolini said...

Wow, in the 60's already? We're still in the 90's during the day and barely break the 70's at night. This is supposed to change soon, though. Of course, I've already packed up the window AC ;)