Gaga’s Homemade Bread, courtesy of LAZO by Don Strange in San Antonio, has a storied past, but the recipe is straightforward enough for even beginner bakers to make at home. Gaga Singleton is Brian Strange’s maternal grandmother. She ran the corporate kitchen at Don Strange Catering Company for over 20 years, and this loaf is her lasting legacy. This simple bread works well dipped in rich sauces during dinner but becomes a breakfast loaf when dried fruit is added.
- 2 packages dry yeast
- 2 cups warm water
- ½ cup sugar
- 5 to 6 cups flour
- 1 tablespoon salt
- ½ cup oil
In large bowl, combine the yeast and water. Let sit for 5 minutes until the yeast is foamy.
Add sugar and stir until dissolved. Add half the flour, a cup at a time, and salt and stir until smooth. Add oil and mix well. Mix in remaining flour a cup at a time. When the dough is too stiff to use a spoon, knead with hands. Add enough flour to dough so it isn’t too sticky to handle.
Transfer the dough to a separate greased bowl and cover with a warm, damp dish towel. Place bowl in warm area of kitchen (like on your stovetop) and let dough rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour. Punch it down and let rise again for 1 hour.
Divide dough into 2 loaves and place in greased loaf pans. Let rise again in the pans to double in size.
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Bake the bread for about 1 hour or until puffed and golden brown.