Family Bread

Directions

1. 1
   Using a very large bowl, mix the water, dry milk powder and sugar. Add the yeast, sort of sprinkled on top. Allow the mixture to sit until the yeast dissolves some, this should only take a couple of minutes. Add the salt, margarine or oil, and flour. Mix with a wooden spoon until it gets too stiff and then dig in with your hands. When the dough is in a nice cohesive ball, turn it out onto a floured kitchen table or counter.
2. 2
   Knead the dough for 10 minutes, adding more flour as necessary as you go along.
3. 3
   Coat the dough with oil, about 2 tablespoons of it, and put it into the bowl. Cover it with a towel or plastic wrap and let it set in a warm place to rise for about an hour or so. It should double in bulk. It may take up to two hours on cool days, or in the air conditioning, so be patient.
4. 4
   Punch down the dough by literally pressing your fist into the center of it. Divide the dough into 4 equal lumps. Coax them into loaf shapes and place them into large (9- by 5-inch) well oiled loaf pans. Cover the dough with a clothor more plastic wrap and let it rise again. It should take less time for the second rising. en the dough is risen up enough, bake the loaves at 350F for about 40 inutes.
5. 5
   You can tell the bread is done by thumping the bottom with your finger. If it doesn't make a dull, hollow sound, put it back into the pan a bake a short while longer.