Step 1

Weigh your flour; or measure it by gently spooning it into a cup, then sweeping off any excess., In a large mixing bowl, or in the bowl of an electric mixer, combine all of the ingredients, mixing to form a shaggy dough. Knead the dough by hand (10 minutes) or by mixer (5 minutes) until it's smooth. Want to make this dough with the help of your bread machine? See "tips," below.

Step 2

, Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, and allow it to rest for 1 hour; it'll become quite puffy, though it may not double in bulk., Gently deflate the dough, and transfer it to a lightly oiled work surface. Shape it into an 8" log.

Step 5

, Place the dough in a lightly greased 8 1/2" x 4 1/2" loaf pan, cover the pan with loosely with lightly greased plastic wrap, and allow the dough to rise for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until it's crested 1" to 2" over the rim of the pan. Towards the end of the rising time, preheat the oven to 350°F., Bake the bread for 35 to 40 minutes, until a digital thermometer inserted into the center registers 190°F. If the bread appears to be browning too quickly, tent it with aluminum foil for the final 10 minutes of baking., Remove the bread from the oven, and turn it out of the pan onto a rack to cool., Store the bread well-wrapped, at room temperature, for several days; freeze for longer storage.