Basic Bread - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 cups lukewarm water
1 tablespoon active dry yeast
1/4 cup sugar
6 cups unbleached bread flour
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 cup olive oil
4 tablespoons wheat germ (optional)

Preparation

n a large bowl (or in the bowl of an electric mixer) whisk together the water, yeast and sugar. Let stand for 10 minutes, or until the yeast looks creamy.
Add the remaining ingredients and mix until well blended (or on low for about 2 minutes with a dough hook).
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured board, and knead, adding more flour if you need, for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the dough is elastic and smooth (or mix on medium for about 8 minutes, until the dough has the same appearance).
Shape the dough into a smooth ball and place in an oiled bowl that allows enough room for the dough to grow. Cover the bowl tightly with film wrap or a damp towel, and set aside to rise for about one hour, or until the dough doubles in size.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured board, gently flatten the dough, and cut into two equal portions. Shape each portion into a log (I just roll the dough up somewhat tightly) and seal the seam by pressing on it. Place each piece of dough into a greased 9x5\" loaf pan, seam side down,.
lightly spray the tops with pan spray, and cover again with film wrap or a damp towel. Allow the loaves to rise about an hour to an hour and a half, until they are about doubled. Preheat the oven to 350f while the dough is rising.
Bake the loaves for 30 to 45 minutes, or until they are a deep golden brown, and sound hollow when the bottoms are thumped (you'll have to tip them out of their pans to test this). I did gently brush the tops of the loaves with egg whites for shine before I baked them.
Allow the bread to cool about 30 minutes or longer.