Ingredients:
- 2 1/4 teaspoons quick acting yeast
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup warm water between 110 and 120 degrees F as measured with a candy thermometer
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup lard or shortening
- 1/4 cup sugar or honey
How To Do It:
Proof the yeast and salt in warm water for 15 minutes.
Proof the yeast in ¼ cup of warm water for 15 minutes. Mix and set aside. Mix shortening, honey or sugar and salt in large bowl.
Add 1 cup very warm water, and stir well. When mixture cools to room temperature, mix well with the yeast mixture.
Add 4 cups of flour, stirring well after each cup. Knead dough on a floured surface until it is smoothed or softened (about 15 minutes). Place dough in large bowl; cover with cloth; and put in warm place until dough doubles in size. Knead again. Divide dough into two equal parts. Shape each into loaves or rounds. Place the loaves on a well-greased cookie sheet, cover with cloth and allow to rise in a warm place. Place loaves in a preheated 400-degree oven and bake until lightly browned (about 1 hour). Use oven’s middle rack and place a shallow pan of water on the bottom of the oven.
The baked loaves should sound hollow when tapped.
Yield: Two loaves