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1
Place Eggs in a bowl of warm water.
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2
Measure Juice and let it stand at room temperature.
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3
In a Small Bowl: Mix Water, Honey, 2 Tbs.
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4
White Flower and Yeast.
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5
Let stand till foamy.
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6
In a Large Bowl: Combine Flour, Salt, and Oil, Eggs, Juice and contents of Small Bowl.
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7
It's a good idea to remove any rings or bracelets before beginning this step for obvious reasons.
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8
Start mixing with a spoon and switch to kneading by hand (still in the bowl) when the spoon becomes unmanageable.
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9
Knead dough until it's smooth.
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10
If all the flour is not working into a smooth ball, sprinkle more water over it a tablespoon at a time until it does.
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11
Conversely if it's very sticky, knead in a little more flower.
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12
Dough should be lightly moist.
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13
Cover dough (still in the bowl) with a flattened plastic grocery bag and place it on the heating pad.
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14
Set heat for Med.
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15
and let it rise for about an hour or until it looks like it might overflow the bowl.
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16
(If you don't want to use a heating pad just let your dough sit in a warm place like the top of the refrigerator) Go read a good book.
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17
Punch your dough down so it deflates, and let it sit and rise for another hour.
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18
Take a leisurely walk and smell some flowers.
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19
Sprinkle a large wooden cutting board or a clean dry counter top with a light layer of White Flour.
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20
(Tip: If your Board is likely to slide around try placing 2 moist paper towels under it for better traction).
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21
Grease 1 large baking sheet and set it aside.
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22
(If you have to use 2 small baking sheets make sure they fit in your oven together and that there is room for the heat to circulate evenly)
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23
Punch down your dough again and remove it from the bowl.
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24
Place dough on your Floured surface and Knead it until it's smooth as a baby's bottom and starts to fight back.
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25
In other words if you poke it, it should bounce back quickly; you'll know it when you see it.
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26
Add more Flour to your surface as needed.
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27
Divide dough in half.
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28
Set one half aside.
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29
Divide the remaining lump into 3 even pieces.
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30
Roll each piece between your hands to form a dough rope an inch or two thick making sure you get out all the air pockets.
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31
Lay ropes out on your kneading surface parallel to each other about an inch apart and braid.
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32
(Tip: If you start your braid in the center you will end up with a more even loaf.
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33
).
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34
Pinch ends of braid together and tuck them under on each end.
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35
(Tip: If your braid ends don't want to stick together dip you finger in water and use it like glue.
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36
It doesn't take much.
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37
).
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38
Place Finished loaf on baking sheet and cover it with another flattened grocery bag.
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39
(Tip: If the bag starts to stick you can grease it lightly with olive oil, butter, pan spray, etc.)
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40
Repeat steps 14-17 with the second lump of dough.
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41
Place baking sheet back on Heating Pad or in a warm place and let rise for 30-40 minute.
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42
Preheat oven to 350.
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43
Place loaves in the oven and wait for that wonderful aroma of fresh bread to fill your house.
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44
Note: You can do an egg wash before you bake the loaves but I prefer to brush them with softened Smart Balance or salted butter right when they come out of the oven.
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45
It adds a nice flavor and keeps the crust soft longer.
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46
If you want to add dried fruit and/or nuts just fold in the desired amount while you are kneading the second time.
