So, I think I finally got the hang of baking bread. For years, the idea of baking bread has intimidated me but look at this picture above. Isn't it gorgeous? I am at that point where I am so excited to see the yeast activate, to smell the dough as it comes together, and then to see that bulge in the kitchen towel that covers the bowl as the dough is rising. I love it.
I decided to give myself a break from trying to make artisan breads or using whole-wheat flour because the breads that I was trying to bake did not turn out very well. It was discouraging me from trying to bake again. So I simplified my life and looked up an Amish white bread recipe from All Recipes.com. It was perfect. I only used 1 tablespoon of sugar to get the yeast going. Otherwise, I followed the recipe to a tee. Yeast can be pretty pricey so I ordered 2lbs from Amazon.com. I filled a quart mason jar with yeast to use now and froze the rest in the freezer for later use. This yeast works great and should last in the fridge for at least a month.
If you read the reviews for this bread, the possibilities are endless (dinner rolls, cinnamon rolls, garlic knots, etc.) I am just so happy to be able to make bread with no preservatives and to be able to share them with my friends. We had a little picnic at Logan Circle last week and I brought the bread, some turkey, sliced up vegetables like radishes and onions, and we had ourselves a delightful little picnic. Now if I can only figure out whole-grain baking...
Happy Eating.
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