Learn the following recipe by heart.
Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups water (105-115 F)
1 tablespoon active dry yeast
1 tablespoon sugar
7 cups bread flour or 7 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon salt
1/4-1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

Directions:
1
Pour 1/2 cup of the water into a bowl and mix with yeast and sugar til foamy.
2
Let sit for 5 minutes until creamy.
3
Put the yeast mixture, rest of the water and 3 1/2 cups of the flour into the mixer with the dough hook.
4
Mix slowly until blended then add the rest of the flour.
5
Increase speed and scrape down the sides til the dough comes together.
6
(If it doesn't add a tbsp of flour at a time til it does.) Add salt and mix at medium speed for 10 minutes (or do half in mixer and half kneading) til dough is smooth and elastic.
7
Back in mixer add butter 1 tbsp at a time (dough may come apart, but mixing will pull it back together).
8
Turn dough out on lightly floured surface and shape it into a ball then place in a large buttered or oiled bowl.
9
Turn dough so it is completely coated in the fat, then cover in plastic for 45 minutes to an hour, til it has doubled in size at room temperature.
10
Butter 2 loaf pans.
11
Deflate the dough, cut in half and turn out onto a lightly floured surface.
12
Roll out into a 9 x 12-inch rectangle.
13
With the short end facing you, fold the dough into thirds like a sheet of paper to go into an envelope, creating a roll.
14
Pinch the seam closed, and pinch the ends enough so it will fit in the loaf pan.
15
Drop in the loaf pan seam side down, and repeat.
16
Cover the loaves with buttered plastic wrap and allow to rise again in a warm place (80°F) for 45 minutes, until they double in size.
17
Preheat the oven to 375°F and put the rack in the center of the oven.
18
Bake for 35-45 minutes til they are honey brown.
19
Immediately turn out of pans onto a rack to cool.
20
Once almost completely cool, they can be cut.
21
Store in a brown paper bag for a day or two.
22
Once cut, turn cut side down onto a cutting board and cover with a kitchen towel.


Now that you know how to make basic white bread, you can make loads of things.

-roll out a wad of dough into a very thin disc, thicker around the edges. Coat with spaghetti sauce, toppings and cheese and put it in the oven.

-do the same as above, but roll it into a loaf.

-roll out two discs of dough. Take a 10" cast iron skillet, coat it with shortening, then line it with one disc of dough. Pour in a half cup of spaghetti sauce, toppings and a cup or more of cheese. Lay the other disc over the top and seal it to the edges of the first, then smear the top with spaghetti sauce and cover in cheese. Cook on top of the stove for ten minutes at medium heat while the oven heats to 350F. Put the skillet in for 40 minutes, or until it looks brown around the edges. Let it cool for a bit before trying to cut it.

-before adding all of the flour, add in a can of chopped black olives, a cup of parmesan and a bunch of rosemary. Continue as above, but before putting into the oven, put a layer of parmesan on the top of each loaf.

-before adding all of the flour, grate the peels off of two or three lemons and add it, along with a cup of currents and an extra cup of sugar. Continue as above, but before putting into the oven, put a layer of sugar on the top of each loaf.

Now that you can do these things, you have something to bring to any party. Much cheaper than buying something, and will impress the hell out of the people you're partying with.
( The Resident Loon Not a demographic. Do not measure., Thu 10 Nov 2011, 20:12, 4 replies)

You forgot my favourite!
Make golf-ball-sized rounds of dough. Set on baking sheet, cover lightly with clingfilm; leave to rise until double in a warm, draft-free place. When doubled, put into oven and bake until lightly brown on top. Split and serve with butter/jam/whatever with soup/for breakfast/for tea. These keep nicely in the freezer.
(louveciennes , Volvospotter, Thu 10 Nov 2011, 20:20, closed)

Eh?
Skillet? Shortening? WTF are you on about?
( His Popiness the Hole Invaded Poland on, Thu 10 Nov 2011, 22:46, closed)

One of these.


Shortening is basically grease. You can use butter or oil if you prefer.
( The Resident Loon Not a demographic. Do not measure., Thu 10 Nov 2011, 23:18, closed)

You can also add a bit of grated cheese to it.
Roll them into doughball sized pieces, and cook as usual.

Can be eaten by themselves, or if you're a disgusting git like me, slice open while hot, put some butter in and then some peanut butter.

FTW.
(username failed moderation, Fri 11 Nov 2011, 9:41, closed)