YEAST BREAD

A good loaf of bread should be rounded at the top and light in weight; the crust should be smooth, golden brown, tender and crisp. When cut, the crumb should show a fine grain, tiny even holes; be moist and elastic and spring back to shape when pressed; it should taste slightly sweet.

INGREDIENTS FOR DOUGH

FLOUR: Sift flour before using. For white bread, use all-purpose flour. ENRICHED FLOUR is wheat flour which contains added vitamins and minerals. It can be used in any recipe calling for flour with no difference in method or taste.

INSTANT ALL-PURPOSE FLOUR is processed so that it looks and pours like sugar, and requires no sifting. It measures evenly, doesn't pack down, and disperses instantly in cold liquids without lumping. Follow directions on the package when substituting for regular flour in ordinary recipes. Combine with other dry ingredients by stirring. Caution: doughs made with instant flour have a slightly different "feel"; do not add extra flour.

SALT AND SUGAR: Sugar in limited amounts quickens the action of the yeast; salt will retard the action of the yeast.

POTATO WATER helps keep bread moist and also hastens the rising. To make 1 cup potato water, wash and peel 1 or 2 potatos, coverwith boiling water, and when thoroughly cooked, drain off and save potato water. Mash potato fine, and add to potato water.

SHORTENING: Butter, margarine, emulsified vegetable shortenings, meat fat, or vegetable oil.

LIQUID: Use water, milk, skim milk, whey, potato or rice water alone or mixed with water. Milk should be scalded and cooled to lukewarm (98-105 degrees F) before adding yeast.

YEAST: There are two types used in home baking: compressed fresh or cake yeast, and active dry granulated yeast. Both are living substances, and must be activated in warm liquid. One package dry yeast may be used in place of 1 cake of yeast. Dissolve contents of package of dry yeast in 1/4 cup water that feels warm to the touch (110 degrees F), somewhat warmer than the liquid for cake yeast. Then follow any recipe using yeast. Cake yeast is perishable and must be kept in the refrigerator. Dry yeast will be kept for several months on the pantry shelf; check package for expiration date.