Ingredients
- 3 c. all-purpose flour
- 1 Tbs. sugar
- 1 ½ tsp. salt
- ¼ tsp. baking soda
- 1 Tbs. instant yeast
- 1 c. milk
- ¼ c. water
- 2 Tbs. butter, melted
- cornmeal, to sprinkle in pan
Preparation
Step 1
Whisk together the flour, sugar, salt, baking soda, and yeast in a large mixing bowl.
Combine the milk, water, and butter and heat to between 120°-130°F. The liquid should be hotter than lukewarm, but not so hot that it would scald you. Pour the hot liquid over the dry ingredients in the mixing bowl. Mix thoroughly w/ a wooden spoon. Dough will be very soft.
Lightly grease a smallish loaf pan and sprinkle the bottom and sides with cornmeal.
Scrape the dough into the pan, leveling it in the pan as much as possible.
Cover the pan w/ a linen towel or plastic wrap which has been sprayed on the inside w/ cooking spray; let the dough rise till it's just barely crowned over the rim of the pan, ~45-60 mins. When the dough is almost finished rising, preheat the oven to 400° F.
Remove plastic and bake for 20-22 minutes, or until golden brown (interior temperature should be 190°F).
Remove the bread from the oven, let sit in pan for 5 minutes before turning loaf out of the pan and setting on a rack to finish cooling. Let the bread cool completely before slicing.