This Week
Welcome
When I looked at this week’s topic, I immediately thought of bread. Bread is not only one of the oldest foods on the planet; it’s also the food that comes in the most varieties and shapes. Sure, most of us think of the commercially produced loaves of white and wheat slices, but if you venture around the bakery of most grocery stores, you will see a plethora of artisan bread options.
Bread is essentially a mixture of flour and water that is combined with various other ingredients. The different ingredients are what give each style of bread its uniqueness. Long loaves of French bread and short round rolls of potato bread may seem like complete opposites, but the truth is the preparation for both is very similar.
I have to pause here to confess that baking is by far my weakest link in the kitchen. I have always been a little intimidated by baking because it’s so final. I mix everything up, put it in the oven, and then pray it turns out edible. That said, I have always wanted to make my own bread at home to compliment my dishes, so this week for our new recipe, I thought I would start with basic homemade bread. I found this recipe at www.cooks.com and thought it would be perfect.
Whenever you are kneading the dough, sprinkle a little of the flour on the counter or cutting board so nothing sticks. Once it has cooled, slice it fairly thick and get ready to be amazed at how much better this simple bread taste, in comparison to store brands.
As always,
Stay hungry my friends.
photo istockphoto.com
$500 GIVEAWAY!!
It’s a back-to-school giveaway! We are giving away a $500 Container Store gift card to one lucky reader, chosen by random.org.
To Enter
Leave a comment on any article today through midnight CST August 12th AND become a member of our community forum. Please use same email address for both commenting and joining the community forum. Winner’s email addresses will need to match.
Winner
Readers can enter as many times as they like, by leaving a comment on any article AND by joining our community forum. Winner will be announced on Saturday, August 13th at 5:00 am CST as part of the Top Twelve article. Good luck!
I use this recipe and another quick-knead one that is baked in the oven in a dutch oven which is fool proof.
pve
Thanks for sharing the recipe! Nothing beats homemade bread.
This is a great recipe printed in the NY Times for a no-knead bread. It comes out from the oven crispy and delicious. Virtually foolproof. Here is the link: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/08/dining/081mrex.html
There is nothing better than warm fresh baked bread. It is tricky though, I always have luck if I “bloom” the yeast before mixing it in with fairly warm water and a pinch of sugar.
I’ve never made bread before! Can’t wait to try it!
One of my favorite things to make. I think the kneading feels so good to your hands.
I have always wanted to make bread. When it’s fresh it’s SO GOOD. I must try this!
Fresh baked bread is like the best thing ever. I’ve only ever made it in a bread maker, though. It was still amazing
I’m not big on eating it, but I do like kneading bread. There is something very gratifying about it.
I love fresh bread, but bread is so expensive in NYC – $5.95 – $7.95 a loaf usually. So I bought a Kitchenaid mixer and it does all the kneading for me. Usually I make 4 loaves – two for our house and two to give away.
Looks yummy!
We often make our own bread or pizza dough using the bread maker…makes it super easy and you still get the flavor of homemade bread. If we are going to shape the dough for a special occasion, we will finish b baking in the oven.
I have never tried bread before but might now… who knows
thanks for sharing!
I love making homemade bread, but for some reason can’t get it to fully rise. Still, it tastes delicious! Thanks for the recipe, will have to try this one!
Homemade bread baking in the oven has to be my favorite smell in the world! LOVE IT <3