Bread Basket Recipe

Directions

1. 1
   Measure hot water into large hot bowl.
2. 2
   Sprinkle in yeast; stir till dissolved.
3. 3
   Add in sugar, salt, margarine, and 3 c. flour; beat till smooth.
4. 4
   Add in sufficient additional flour to make a stiff dough.
5. 5
   Turn out onto lightly floured board; knead till smooth and elastic, about 8 to 10 min.
6. 6
   Place in greased bowl, turning to grease top.
7. 7
   Cover; let rise in hot place, free from draft, till doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.
8. 8
   Generously grease 4 strips heavy duty foil 10 inches long and 21/2 inches wide.
9. 9
   Place around edges of a 10 inch wire rack.
10. 10
    Generously grease outside of a large mixer bowl (about 8 3/4 inches in diameter and 4 1/2 inches deep).
11. 11
    Invert onto foil.
12. 12
    Punch dough down.
13. 13
    Divide into 24 equal pcs; set 2 aside.
14. 14
    Roll 22 pcs into 30-inch ropes.
15. 15
    Twist two together; repeat with remaining ropes.
16. 16
    Wrap twists of dough around bowl, beginning at bottom, touching foil.
17. 17
    Healthy pinch ends of twists to seal.
18. 18
    Cover entire surface of bowl.
19. 19
    Place 2 more greased of foil on a wire rack.
20. 20
    Grease another bowl with the same diameter.
21. 21
    Invert onto rack.
22. 22
    Roll reserved pcs of dough to 24-inch ropes; twist together.
23. 23
    Place over bowl, with ends touching foil, to create handle for basket.
24. 24
    Cover; let rise in hot place, free from draft, till doubled in bulk, about 30 min.
25. 25
    Combine egg and lowfat milk; brush mix gently on basket and handle.
26. 26
    Place in warm oven with wire racks directly on oven rack.
27. 27
    (Don't use baking sheet.)
28. 28
    Bake at 400F, about 20 min, or possibly till golden.
29. 29
    For higher glaze, brush basket and handle once during baking.
30. 30
    Cover with foil, if necessary, to prevent uneven browning.
31. 31
    Remove from bowl and cold on wire racks.
32. 32
    To serve, fasten handle onto basket, using toothpicks.
33. 33
    Fill with dinner rolls.