"mary's" Recipe For Wheat Bread Recipe

Mary's Recipe for Wheat Bread

History:
The recipe for Mary's Wheat Bread has been passed down through generations in Mary's family. It originated from her great-grandmother, who was known for her delectable bread-making skills. Mary's family immigrated to the United States from Europe, bringing with them a rich tradition of baking bread using simple yet delicious ingredients. Over the years, the recipe has been refined and perfected, resulting in the mouthwatering wheat bread that Mary's family and friends have come to love.

Fun Fact:
Did you know that bread making has been around for thousands of years? The ancient Egyptians were the first to develop a method of making leavened bread using yeast. They would mix flour and water and let it ferment, creating a sponge-like consistency. This mixture was then used as a starter for their bread dough. It's fascinating to think that Mary's recipe has evolved from these ancient bread-making techniques.

Ingredients:
- 1 cup sweet milk (scalded)
- 1 cup cold water
- 1 cake Fleischman's yeast (dissolved in a small quantity of lukewarm water)
- 1-1/2 teaspoonfuls sugar
- 1 rounded teaspoonful salt
- 1 tablespoonful butter
- Flour, about 1-1/2 quarts

Instructions:
1. In a bowl, combine the scalded sweet milk and cold water.
2. Dissolve the cake of yeast in a small quantity of lukewarm water.
3. Add the dissolved yeast, sugar, salt, and butter to the milk mixture. Stir well to combine.
4. Gradually add the flour, about 1/2 cup at a time, while stirring with a wooden spoon. Continue adding flour until the dough becomes stiff and difficult to stir.
5. Transfer the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 25 minutes. Add additional flour if required to prevent sticking. The dough should become smooth and elastic.
6. Place the dough in a covered bowl and set it in a warm place to rise for approximately two hours, or until it has doubled in size.
7. After the first rise, knead the dough again for a few minutes and let it rest for one hour.
8. Preheat the oven to a hot temperature. You can determine if the oven is hot enough by checking if you can hold your hand in it only while counting to thirty or if a little flour browns in the oven in about six minutes.
9. Shape the dough into shapely loaves and place them in greased bread pans. Brush the tops of the loaves with melted butter.
10. Let the loaves rise for about 45 minutes, or until they have doubled in size.
11. Carefully transfer the pans into the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes to one hour, or until the loaves are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
12. Once baked, remove the loaves from the oven. Stand them on end against an object, allowing air to circulate around them. Brush a little butter over the top to soften the crust.
13. It is recommended to let the bread cool for at least twelve hours before eating to allow it to fully develop its flavor.

Fun Fact:
Freshly baked bread straight out of the oven is hard to resist, but the flavor and texture of bread actually improve with time. By allowing the bread to cool and rest for several hours, the flavors intensify and the texture becomes softer. So exercise patience and wait before indulging in Mary's delicious Wheat Bread!

Similar Recipe Dishes:
If you enjoy making Mary's Wheat Bread, you might also like these recipe dishes that feature bread as a key ingredient:

1. French Toast Casserole: A delightful breakfast dish made with slices of bread soaked in a sweet custard mixture and baked until golden brown.
2. Bread Pudding: A comforting dessert made by combining stale bread with eggs, milk, sugar, and various flavorings like vanilla and raisins. Baked until it forms a delicious, custardy consistency.
3. Bruschetta: A popular Italian appetizer that involves toasting slices of bread and topping them with a variety of flavorful ingredients such as tomatoes, basil, garlic, and olive oil.
4. Croque Monsieur: A classic French sandwich made with ham, cheese, and béchamel sauce, toasted until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Often enjoyed as a delicious lunch or brunch option.

Enjoy baking Mary's Wheat Bread and exploring other delightful dishes that showcase the versatility of bread as an ingredient!