Braided Bread

Add 4 to 5 cups water to oil, milk, salt, 1/2 cup sugar and egg.

Combine yeast and 1/2 cup sugar.

Add warm water and let stand 5 minutes.

Add yeast-sugar mixture to egg mixture. Gradually stir in enough flour to make stiff dough, with right consistency, smooth and elastic (comes away from sides of bowl). You may start with mixer, but unless yours is a heavy-duty mixer, you'll need to mix most of it by hand.

Knead 10 minutes on a floured surface.

Add flour as needed to keep dough from sticking. Place dough in large, oiled bowl and turn to coat.

Let dough rise until double.

Punch down and repeat.

Remember to keep dough covered with warm, moist cloth.