Dissolve the yeast and 1/2 teaspoon sugar in the lukewarm water. Combine all of the ingredients in a large bowl, or in the bowl of an electric mixer, and mix until fairly smooth. Knead the dough, by hand for 10 minutes, or with your mixer attached with the dough hook for 5 minutes. The dough should be smooth. Place the dough into a lightly greased bowl, cover the bowl with plastic wrap, and let dough rise until puffy about 1 to 2 hours.