A Word from Pastor Nathan
Last night, some friends and I met for dinner at Sorrento’s. I suggested Sorrento’s because I love Chicken Florentine, but more than that, I love bread. I can eat my weight in bread. If the waiter asks the table, “Would you like more bread?” my answer is always yes.
We’re in the middle of our worship series: Jesus Loves Carbs. John 6 is all about Jesus and bread. Jesus feeds 5,000 with nothing more than five loaves and two fish. After the meal, the disciples gather the fragments and pieces and have far more than in the beginning. In last week’s reading, Jesus announced “I am the bread of life.” This phrase will guide us for the remainder of the chapter.
This worship series has increased my appetite for bread, so I found a simple recipe that I want to try and share with you. If you bake a loaf and need a person to taste test, you know where I work.
2 cups warm water (110o F/45o C)
1/2 cup white sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons active dry yeast
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 cup vegetable oil
5-6 cups flour –You can use all-purpose flour OR bread flour!
1. In a large bowl, dissolve the sugar in warm water and then stir in yeast. Allow to proof until yeast resembles a creamy foam, about 5 minutes.
2. Mix salt and oil into the yeast. Mix in flour one cup at a time.
3. Knead dough for 7 minutes. Place in a well-oiled bowl and turn dough to coat. Cover with a damp cloth. Allow to rise until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.
4. Punch dough down. Knead for 1 minute and divide in half. Shape into loaves and place into two greased 9×5 loaf pans. Allow to rise for 30 minutes, or until dough has risen 1 inch above pans.
5. Bake at 350oF (175o C) for 30-40 minutes.
6. Cool, brush with butter, and enjoy!
May the taste of bread remind you of the one who gives life to the whole wide world.
Happy baking,
