Test freshness of yeast by adding a pinch of sugar when dissolving it in water.
If mixture doesn't foam within 10 minutes, it's past the usable date.

The trick to kneading dough is to add only enough flour to keep the dough from
sticking to hands or to the work surface.

Use nonstick cooking spray to grease the bowl in which the dough rises.

Cover rising dough with plastic wrap sprayed with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.

To tell if dough has "doubled in size", poke two fingertips into the center. If the dough doesn't
spring back, it has doubled.

Slash the top of the dough in two or three places so it can expand evenly as it bakes.

For crusty breads and rolls, spray with water from a mister twice during the first 8-10 minutes of baking.