FOOL-PROOF WHOLE WHEAT BREAD

This is the first whole wheat bread recipe I used.  It is a very basic wheat bread.  Makes two loaves.

1/4 cup hot water
1 packet yeast (or 1 Tablespoon yeast from a bulk package)
4 cups whole wheat flour
2 1/2 cups hot water
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup honey
2 teaspoons salt
2 to 2 1/2 cups white flour

1.  Put 1/4 cup hot water into a cup or small bowl.  Sprinkle the yeast into it.  Set aside for 5 minutes.
2.  While yeast proofs, combine the 2 1/2 cups of hot water and the whole wheat flour in a mixing bowl and mix on low speed until combined.
3.  Add salt, oil and honey and continue mixing until well blended.
4.  Add dissolved yeast and mix thoroughly.
5.  Add remaining flour 1 cup at a time and knead 10 minutes.
If kneading by hand, add 1/2 to 1 cup more flour and oil hands and kneading surface with vegetable oil.
6.  Let the dough rest while you grease 2 pans.
7.  Divide dough in half, shape into 2 loaves and place in pans.
8.  Turn oven to warm (200º), cover pans with a damp cloth and place in warm oven.  Let rise 30 minutes.
9.  Remove cloth from pans and turn oven on to 375º.  Bake 35 - 40 minutes.  Remove bread from pans immediately.  Let cool 10 minutes and butter the tops.

To use a Bread Machine:

Cut amounts in half. 1 1/4 cups + 2 Tablespoons hot water, 2 3/4 Tablespoons oil, 2 3/4 Tablespoons honey, 1 teaspoon salt, 2 1/4 cups whole wheat flour, 1 cup white or bread flour.  Don't bother proofing yeast, just add ingredients to machine in order recommended by your bread machine manufacturer. I put water, oil and honey in first then salt, flour, and yeast on top.