11/4 cups warm water

1tsp. sugar

1talb. dry yeast

2talb. melted butter

1tsp. salt

1talb. sugar

3-4cups flour

1egg white

1tsp. cold water

sesame seeds, parmesan cheese

In bowl dump three cups flour to start, one tsp. salt and one talb. sugar

melt butter or crisco shortening in microwave then dump that in bowl with flour, sugar and salt

In a cup add in yeast with one tsp. sugar in 11/4 cups warm water; cover with cloth, and proof yeast for eight to ten minutes.

After ten minutes add in yeast/water mixture into bowl and knead. adding more flour if necessary but too much flour makes dense loaf.

knead for seven to eight min or smooth

remove dough from bowl, and let sit on lightly floured surface covered with a tea towel for ten minutes this is important.

after ten minutes knead very gently will come together.

form into semi round ball and place in a greased bowl; cover with tea towel and set in a warm place to rise one hour

after one hour punch down and remove to a floured surface

shape with hands

cover the shaped loaf with tea towel and let rise for about 30-35 minutes in warm place. I prefer 45 minutes on counter.

after rising set oven to 375

In a small cup whisk and mix together one egg white with one tsp. cold water.

brush over risen dough, then sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese or sesame seeds or both.

bake for 25-33 minutes or brown and sound hollow when tapped. delicious!

The technique of covering the yeast mixture while waiting on it reallly helps the yeast to come alive.

Its important to follow instructions. The bread is worth the work.

Very often I dont knead as long as the directions say. Bread is kind of like making bisquits you have to be gentle and kneading can make it tough if done too long.

Just knead enough to make sure it comes together well.

Three cups of flour is enough. Too much flour makes a dense loaf but three cups makes a very soft bread.