Homemade Bread with Cheese and Herbs

1 cup warm water - 1 Tbsp fast acting yeast - 2 cups plain white flour - 2 Tbsp sugar - 1/2 Tsp salt - Mozzarella cheese - Fresh herbs like Basil and Thyme. 2-3 Bay leaves.
Step 1: Place flour in large mixing bowl, add sugar and salt and mix well. Mix yeast into a cup of warm water (105 F) and slowly stir into flour, mixing well. Gradually add in flour, mixing well, first with a large spoon and then using fingers. Step 2: Mix and knead really well. (Do not add too much flour while kneading, as the dough will bind to itself quite well once you get going). Knead until smooth and sticky, but not sticky enough to cling to surface. Step 3: Place in warm, greased bowl or bread cooking dish and cover with clean towel. Place in the microwave with a cup of boiling water and close the door. Allow to rise until doubled in volume.
Step 4: Punch down dough and knead lightly, then let rise again.
Step 5: Punch down dough a little and put Mozzarella cheese in the middle. Add fresh chopped herbs and fold dough over cheese. Place herbs on top with some bay leaves.
Place dough in preheated oven at 400ºF (205ºC) for 40-50 minutes. Every 10-15 minutes open the oven and spray water on top side of bread. Remove from oven when top is golden brown. Let cool.

For French Bread, use milk instead of water. Let rise to 5-6 hours before going to step 4 ( It basically triples the time it takes the yeast to rise because the milk is cold and puts the yeast to sleep).