Easy Italian Bread

This is an easy Italian bread that I’ve been making for over 20 years.  With fast-rising yeast, a mixer with a dough hook, and directions for quick-mixing, in no time you’ll have two big loaves of hearty bread.

EASY ITALIAN BREAD

• 2 packages fast-rising dry yeast
• 2 Tblsp. granulated sugar
• 2-1/2 tsp. salt
• 4-1/4 to 4-3/4 cups all-purpose flour, divided
• 1-3/4 cup water heated to 130 degrees F
• 2 Tblsp. vegetable oil

In the large bowl of mixer, place yeast, sugar, salt and two cups of flour.  Mix to blend and add the 130 degree F water and oil.  Mix on medium speed with regular beater for 3 minutes.  Insert dough hook and beat for another 6:30 minutes, adding flour as needed to keep dough from being sticky.

Place dough on a floured board, cover with a cloth, and let rest for 10 minutes.  Punch down dough and form into two long narrow loaves.  Place loaves on a greased pan, cover and let rise in a warm place for 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Before placing loaves in oven, moisten your fingers and gently spread water over the top of the loaves.  Cut three slashes in the top with a serrated knife.  Place loaves in oven and bake for approximately 25 minutes.  Remove to a wire rack to cool.  These loaves measure approximately 15 inches long by 6 inches wide.

This is my favorite bread to use as garlic bread, bruschetta, French Toast, stuffing, bread pudding or in any recipe that calls for a sturdy old-fashioned bread.

Victory Quilts–Brave World Block

This is the final of 20 blocks I’ve been sewing and posting from Eleanor Burns’ new Quilt-in-a-Day book, Victory Quilts – 1942 Sampler Blocks.  See other blocks I’ve completed in my Quilt Blocks category.

This is an easy skill level block called “Brave World”.  It was a simple block to construct and I think it turned out very pretty.

The book was a Mother’s Day gift and I’ve had a lot of fun trying out each of the block patterns which will eventually be made into a sampler quilt.  Naturally, any one of the blocks or a combination could be used in a quilt and there are many suggested layouts throughout the book.  There are also patterns for some interesting borders along with instructions for assembling and finishing quilts.

This is a beautiful hard cover book with lots of pictures of quilts and also of World War II memories.  There are instructions for 6″ and 12″ blocks – 12 easy skill level, 3 intermediate skill level, and 5 advance level blocks – something for everybody.  I highly recommend the book.

Victory Quilts — Bride’s Bouquet Block

This is the 19th block I’ve made and posted from Eleanor Burns’ new Quilt-in-a-Day book, Victory Quilts – 1942 Sampler Blocks.  See other blocks I’ve completed in my Quilt Blocks category.

This block is an advanced skill block called “Bride’s Bouquet”.  Eleanor’s techniques helped me make this block without too many problems and I love the way it looks.

Victory Quilts — Victory Block

This is the 18th of 20 blocks I’ve been sewing and posting from Eleanor Burns’ new Quilt-in-a-Day book, Victory Quilts – 1942 Sampler Blocks.  See other blocks I’ve completed in my Quilt Blocks category.

This is an advance skill level block called “Victory Block”.  Using a template and Eleanor’s clear directions, I didn’t have any problems with the block and think it’s an interesting patriotic example.

Victory Quilts–Liberty Star Block

We’re down to posting the last three blocks in Eleanor Burns’ new Quilt-in-a-Day book, Victory Quilts – 1942 Sampler Blocks.  See other blocks I’ve completed in my Quilt Blocks category.

This is an advance level block called “Liberty Star”.  Once I understood the way Eleanor had me marking and cutting, it wasn’t that difficult to do.  It makes a very nice patriotic star.

Victory Quilts–Hope of Hartford Block

Finishing up the last few blocks in Eleanor Burns’ Quilt-in-Day book, Victory Quilts — 1942 Sampler Blocks.  See other blocks I’ve completed in my Quilt Blocks category.

This block is an easy skill level block called “Hope of Hartford”, adapted from a 1945 block.  It is very simple to construct even though there are partial seams in it.  The good instructions will lead you right through it.

Victory Quilts–Airplane Block

Here is another block from the 20 in Eleanor Burns’ new Quilt-in-a-Day book, Victory Quilts – 1942 Sampler Quilts.  See other blocks I’ve completed in my Quilt Blocks category.

This is an intermediate skill level block called “Airplane”, adapted from a 1929 pattern.  It’s probably rated intermediate because a template is used, but it’s really a simple block to construct.

Victory Quilts–Propeller Block

This block is from Eleanor Burns’ new Quilt-in-a-Day book, Victory Quilts – 1942 Sampler Quilts.  See other blocks I’ve completed in my Quilt Blocks category.

This is an easy skill level block called “Propeller” and is based on a 1943 pattern.  It’s an easy block to construct, yet makes an impressive design.

Victory Quilts–Army Star Block

This is an intermediate skill level block from Eleanor Burns’ new Quilt-in-a-Day book, Victory  Quilts – 1940s Sampler Quilts.  See other blocks I’ve completed in my Quilt Blocks category.

This block calls for a Mini Geese Ruler and although I don’t usually buy specialty rulers, this is a good one to have, particularly for beginners.  The ruler is available through the Quilt-in-a-Day web site.

The block was easy to construct with Eleanor’s very good instructions for a 6″ or 12″ finished block.

Victory Quilts–Stars and Stripes Block

Here is an interesting block from Eleanor Burns’ new Quilt-in-a-Day book, Victory Quilts – 1940s Sampler Quilts.  See other blocks I’ve completed in my Quilt Blocks category.

This block is called “Stars and Stripes” and is rated easy skill level.  Paper backed fusible web is used to make the stars and the block makes a nice patriotic statement.