Pain Ordinaire (Basic White Bread) in a Bread Machine

Despite the name this recipe is neither a "pain" nor is it "ordinary." At this point in my foodie journey I make homemade bread a few times a year. I would probably make it more often if I couldn't get Udi's organic whole wheat artisan bread from my local grocery store. All of our house guests love this bread, and I think they are a little disappointed when they find out they won't be able to buy this bread in their home town. When I do make homemade bread I make Boule, Stromboli, or this "Pain Ordinaire." When the weather is warm outside it's great to bring out the bread machine. You can have homemade bread without heating up the house. Wahoo! My bread machine can make a 1, 1/1/2, or 2 lb. loaf. This recipe is for a 1 1/2 lb loaf. This gave me 6 thick slices plus 2 crusty ends. That's just enough to satisfy a bread craving and then it's back to the low carb lifestyle.

Pain Ordinaire
15 oz of flour  - about 3 1/4 cups (I used Bob's Red Mill Organic Unbromated White Flour)
9 oz of water - about 1 cup and 1 tablespoon of water
1 1/2 teaspoon of salt
2 teaspoons of rapid rise yeast

1. Place the ingredients in your bread machine in the order recommended in your instruction manuel. My machine calls for liquids first. Place 9 oz of water in the loaf pan. I highly recommend investing in digital scale. My scale measures in both ounces and grams. However, my favorite feature is called "on zero." That means I can place a bowl onto the scale, press "on zero," and measure the amount needed without worrying about the weight of the bowl itself. 9 oz of water is slightly more than 1 cup.

2. Add the salt to the water.

3. Measure 15 oz of flour and add to the loaf pan.

4. Top of the flour mixture with the yeast.

5. Set the bread machine on the appropriate settings. I used the basic setting for a  1.5 lb loaf  and a medium color crust.

6. After 2 hours and 50 minutes (that's how long it took for the magic to happen) remove the bread from the reservoir. I had to shake the bread from the reservoir pretty vigorously to remove the bread. Place the bread on a wire wire to cool of 30 minutes.

7. Lay the bread horizontally, slice the heel, and split the end piece with your favorite someone. My husband and I enjoy that first end piece with butter or dipped in olive oil.