Homemade Bread by Hand

From: My friend, Sarah Valente.

Ingredients:

3.5 cups warm water
4 tsp yeast
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup vegetable or canola oil
6 c flour

optional:
cheese
garlic

How to:  

Combine yeast and warm water. Add the rest of the ingredients in order, mixing each ingredient in thoroughly as you go. When the dough is formed but not too sticky, allow it to rise for 30 min. Then form into 4 equal parts for the loaves.  Form into a loaf, place in the baking pan and allow to rise another 20-30 minutes.  Then bake for 20-25 minutes at 360°F.

Bruschetta

From: This is the Pioneer Woman's Bruschetta recipe.  Holy heaven, this woman has done it again.  This is to die for.

Ingredients:

2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
5 fresh cloves Garlic, Finely Minced
1 pint Red Grape Tomatoes, Halved Lengthwise
1 pint Yellow Grape Tomatoes, Halved Lengthwise
1 Tablespoon Balsamic Vinegar
16 whole Basil Leaves (chiffonade)
Salt And Pepper To Taste (don't Oversalt!)
1 loaf of French bread
8 Tablespoons Butter

How to: 

Follow the Pioneer Woman's instructions.  The only deviation I suggest is that you only toast the top side of the bread.  That way, you get the crispy buttery goodness of toast and the soft fresh french bread at the same time.  It's fantastic.

Banana Bread

From:  This one came straight from Simply Recipes.

Ingredients:

3 or 4 ripe bananas, smashed
1/3 cup melted butter
1 cup sugar (can easily reduce to 3/4 cup)
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda
Pinch of salt
1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour

How to:  Just click here.