for the longest time i have avoided using yeast because i’ve always thought it was a finicky and unpredictable ingredient. recently i discovered that my hunch was right, but the result when the yeast wants to be your friend is amazing! after making some home made pizza dough, i had one more packet of yeast left and so decided to try making from homemade bread!
(photos and recipe courtesy of Simply Scratch)
Ingredients:
- 2-1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 packet rapid rise yeast
- 3/4 tsp kosher salt
- 1 cup warm water
- olive oil
Directions:
1) In a large bowl pour warm water and sprinkle in one packet of rapid rise yeast. Let the yeast bloom for 5 minutes. Grease a large bowl with olive oil.
2) In a separate bowl, measure and mix the flour with the kosher salt. Stir the flour into the yeast-water until just combined.
3) Form the dough into a ball and place in the oiled bowl. Roll the dough to coat with oil. Place a damp towel over top and place the bowl in a warm area to rise, double in size.
4) Punch down the dough, form into a long log, and then cut slits into the dough using a knife. Slide the dough into an cool, unpreheated oven. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees {while the loaf is in the oven} and set the timer for 30 minutes.
5) Take your break out of the oven and enjoy!
alice in cook-ING land 
try using active dry yeast next time, add a dash of sugar in step 1, aim for body temperature water ~100F, too hot or cold and the yeast will die. let the dough log rise for another 30-60 minutes in step 4 before slashing and putting it in the oven for a better rise/less dense bread.