Bread Machine YUMMY White Bread

1 cup  warm water
2 TBS sugar
2 1/4 tsp bread machine yeast
1/4 cup veg oil
3 cups bread flour
1 1/2 tsp salt

Add water, sugar, and yeast.  Allow to proof 10 minutes until foamy.  Then add oil, flour, and salt.  Select your basic setting and press start!  Mine takes about 3 hours from start to finish.  Many times I will set after lunch and run errands.  By the time the kids are home from school it is near the end of it's cooking and we have fresh bread with our dinner!

I like to add 2 tsp of garlic, & 2 tsp parsley for an Italian Bread to serve with pasta's

By the way, I was one of those people who thought a bread machine was a complete waste of money and space...  HA! Thanks to my in-laws for picking up extra's at yard sales and giving me one!  I am so hooked now! 

Focaccia bread

Homemade Focaccia Bread

1/2 very warm water
1/2 tsp sugar
2 packages active dry yeast
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp salt
3 Tbs olive oil
1 cup water

(***UPDATE***  Now that I have my bread machine I make the dough in it for the first rise)

herbs, spices, onions, tomatoes, black olives... etc.... whatever you like for the top :) I make this different every time... a little overboard in the pic! HA

In a glass measuring cup... stir warm water and sugar, then stir in yeast and let it proof... (wait about 5 minutes to be activated... it should foam on top)

In a large bowl combine flour and salt.... Stir in yeast mixture, 2 TBS olive oil & 1 cup water.

Cover with greased plastic wrap... set in warm draft free spot to double...

while the dough is rising, heat the remaining olive oil in a saucepan and add your onions and herbs... cook about 5 minutes to caramelize.

Turn your dough (which will be very soft) onto a heavily floured board or counter top.... Use a lot of flour on your hands... knead just enough to work with it... Get it to a greased stone or pan... arrange into a rectangle.... You can let it rise more if you have the time... Otherwise you can bake at this point :)

Create dimples in your dough with your fingertips every few inches.... drizzle with your olive oil, onions herbs, tomatoes or whatever else you choose to bake into it :)

Bake on preheated 425 F oven for about 30 minutes or until slightly brown on top and bottom... serve warm... Cut into large squares... YUMMY