crickman@umn-cs.UUCP (Robin Crickman) (02/13/86)
Here is a very simple and fast yeast bread which was printed in a circular included in my local newspaper. It doesn't live up to its name in terms of speed if you don't use a microwave oven, but it is fast. And easy. And tastes very good. 60-Minute Microwave English Muffin Loaf For each loaf of bread you want to make you need: 3 cups all-purpose flour 1 and 1/2 teaspoons sugar 1 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon baking soda 1 package Rapid Rise Yeast (you can use regular yeast, see note below) 1 cup milk 1/4 cup water cornmeal Set aside 1 cup flour. Put remaining flour, sugar,salt soda and yeast into a large bowl and stir. Heat milk and water until very warm (125-130 degrees F.). Add to dry mixture; beat well. Stir in reserved flour to make a stiff batter. Spoon into a 9 x 5 loaf pan which has been greased and sprinkled with cornmeal. Sprinkle top with cornmeal. Cover; let rise in a warm place for about 30 minutes. Bake at 400 degrees F. for 25 minutes. Remove from pan immediately and cool. Serve by slicing and toasting. NOTE: If you are using regular (not Rapid Rising) yeast, allow to rise for 45 minutes. If you have a microwave oven, you can do this more quickly. Decrease the amount of flour to 2 and 1/2 cups. Mix as above and put into microwavable pan. Rather than rising, set microwave on medium power (50%) and microwave for 1 minute. Let rest 10 minutes. Microwave on same setting another one minute and again rest for 10 minutes or until dough has doubled in bulk. To bake, microwave on high (100%) power for 6 minutes 30 seconds. Allow to rest in dish 5 minutes, remove and cool. NB. Loaf will not be brown, even though it is fully cooked. Personally, I prefer to use a conventional oven for this. I like my breads browned and I find it easier not to have to mess with the stuff several times as microwave rising requires. I suggest you make several loaves, they disappear very quickly around my house; one is never enough. The Fleischmann Company which originated this recipe also have a Yeast Hotline at 1-800-932-7800. They offer free help if you should need it. This bread is particularly suited for making at the end of a long night's bull session or to fill the house with wonderful bread aroma when it is your turn to host a brunch.