Easy White Bread

This is a seriously SUPER easy bread recipe, and it's really tasty.

White Bread
2 c. warm water
2/3 c. white sugar
1 1/2 T yeast
1 1/2 t. salt
1/4 c. vegetable oil
6 c. white flour (optional: use half wheat flour)

Dissolve sugar in the warm water in a small bowl, then stir in the yeast. Allow the yeast mixture to poof until it looks like creamy foam (usually about 10 minutes).

Mix salt and oil together and then add in the yeast mixture. Add in 1 cup of flour at a time. Knead dough lightly until smooth. Allow to rise for one hour.

Punch dough down and knead a few times. Divide the batter in half and shape into loaves. Place in greased bread pans allowing 30 minutes to rise again.

Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.
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These easy directions for making this bread in a mixer/KitchenAid all for making bread in one bowl:
Allow the warm water/yeast mixture to poof in the mixing bowl. Add all ingredients to the same bowl. Knead with the hook attachment. When the bread is finished being kneaded the first time, pull out, spray the bowl with grease, and place back in the bowl for rising. Finish the recipe as it is above.

Yield: 2 good loaves

Pesto Chicken

1 Ib. box of pasta (we like bow tie)

3-4 chicken breasts cut up into bite-size pieces

3-4 cups vegetables (I use frozen carrots, peas, and corn. Broccoli is good, too. Or you can just use the pre-mixed veggies for super easy prep.)

prepared wet pesto (I use most of a 10 oz. Jar)

OPTIONAL: Parmesan or mozzarella

Cook pasta until al dente. Drain, return to pot, and stir in 2 large tablespoons of pesto.

At the same time:

Spray a large skillet with cooking spray and cook the chicken until it's white. Add veggies, about ½ cup of water, and 3 large tablespoons of pesto. Stir well, reduce heat, and cover. Stir every few minutes until veggies are completely heated through.

Add the chicken & vegetable mix to the pasta and mix well.

Sprinkle with cheese (optional) and serve.