Fast Homemade Bread

This is my fool-proof recipe for delicious homemade bread that's ready in about an hour! It is so impressive to make your own bread but with the craziness day to day life, it is tough to find time. Not anymore! The best part is most of these ingredients are usually already on hand, so there's no need to lug yourself to the grocery store to create the perfect loaf. Try this out next time you're craving fresh bread!

Time: 1 hour  

Ingredients:  

• 2 cups all purpose flour (or 1/2 cup whole wheat + 1.5 cups all purpose)  
• 1 packet fast acting yeast  
• 1 cup warm water
• 1 tablespoon sugar  
• 1 tablespoon basil or Italian seasoning (or spice of your choice really, you can omit this step if you don't want a flavor)  
• 1.5 teaspoons salt  
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil  
• Additional warm water if needed for the dough  

Recipe:  

1. Use a large measuring cup to combine the warm water, sugar & yeast. Stir to dissolve the yeast. 
2. Place the yeast mixture in the microwave (without turning it on!) so that it is kept in a warm dark place for at least 15 minutes.  Yeast will be bubbly when you take it out.  
3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
4. In a large basin, mix the flour, seasoning, & salt together.   
5. Add in the olive oil & yeast, mix into the flour. Kneed until everything is combined. It's okay if you over-kneed for this dough, you want the gluten activated as much as possible.  
6. Sprinkle some extra flour on a cookie sheet to avoid the dough sticking to the pan.  
7. Add the dough on top of the flour & shape with your hands into a loaf. Hint: sometimes I need the bread to cook fast so I make 2-3 smaller loafs and use 2 cookie sheets to bake them in. 
8. Use a sharp knife to make 3 small slits on top of the loaf.  
9. Bake on 350 for about 20 - 30 minutes or until the top is crusty. Timing will depend on how tall / thick you made your loaf & how many loafs you split it into. This recipe can make 3 small/medium sized loafs in 15-20 minutes!   

Olive Loaf

Craving olives today so I made some olive bread! Super easy to whip up with some active dry yeast. I enjoyed it with some warm tomato-basil soup!  

Time: 1 hour

Ingredients: 

• 1 packet active dry yeast
• 1/2 cup warm water
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 cups all purpose flour  
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil  
• 1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning  
• 1/2 cup mixed olives, pitted  

Recipe: 

1. Add the packet of yeast & sugar to the warm water, stir to dissolve then let it sit for 15 mins to bubble up.
2. In a medium bowl, pour the flour, salt & Italian seasoning. Stir to combine. 
3. Slowly mix in the yeast mixture & olive oil, mix with your hands slightly just to incorporate the ingredients. 
4. Chop the olives into smaller rounds, throw almost all of them into the flour mixture, leaving some for the top of the loaf. 
5. Knead the olive dough completely & form into a loaf with your hands. 
6. Set it on a cookie sheet & cut 4 small slits on the top.  
7. Garnish with the remaining olive slices, pressing them in so they stay put in the oven. 
8. Bake on 350 for 45 minutes - 1 hour or until golden brown on top, and cooked through the middle.