Litha Loaf

Ingredients

1 1/4 cups warm water
1 envelope of yeast
2 Tbsp sugar
2 Tbsp softened oleo
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp dried leaf thyme
2 3/4 cups plain flour

Directions

Sprinkle yeast over water in a large warm bowl (I still use the good old Pyrex yellow); stir till dissolved. Add oleo, sugar, salt, thyme, and half of the flour. Beat on medium mixer speed 2 minutes or 150 strokes by hand; scrape bowl often. Beat in rest of the flour with a spoon till smooth. Scrape down sides. Cover; let rise till double, about 1 hour. Beat down with 25 strokes. Turn into greased bread tin or 1 1/2-qt casserole. Bake l hr 10 min at 175°C. Brush top of hot loaf with melted oleo (I just rub a stick over it).