Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Bread Making in the New Year

Last year I declared to be the year of fruit. We planted apples, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries and grapes. This year I proclaim to be the year of bread. I initially planned to title this post "A Year In Bread" but then remembered coming across a blog with a similar title a while back. I googled the title and sure enough... I found the blog "A Year in Bread". 3 bakers initially to post recipes for 1 year but since decided to continue to share their adventures and recipes in bread making. A good resource for newbies like me!
So with a little help from my friends I have made a few things. These pictures are from a recent first time adventure in hamburg roll making. Last year I dabbled a bit with breads: white, oatmeal, wheat, and egg bread. Mostly with a some assistance from my bread machine. Mostly for the purpose of mixing, kneading and initial rise time. Then I'd baked the bread in the oven. This year I have vowed to do without the bread machine.




Instead of the bread machine mixing and kneading the dough I use my kitchen aide.

Maine Man called these "Jesus Rolls". He said something like... "these are like the bread they made back in his time". They tasted good warm but after they cooled they hard as a rock.
MM is my biggest critic. When he says it was "this is the best .....I've ever tasted " I know darn well to save the recipe.

Instead of using the bread machine for the initial rising phase I instead use the heat from the wood stove.


I made this bread yesterday. I learned about it at Homemakers that Work. It was quick, easy, tasty, and I love the look of braided bread.
Off to bake more bread before the kids get home!

10 comments:

June said...

Oh, my! We will have much to discuss. Bread is our absolute passion over here. I've had a sourdough starter going for fourteen years. I'm so attached to it I feel like singing happy birthday to it each January. Birch keeps experimenting and finding new ways to make great bread. We bake all our bread. I can't wait to see what you do this year!

Happy dough-rising!

YD, sometimes with ♥June and ♥Angel Samantha said...

I love bread making! If only I have more people to share the bread with. It's tough for just hubby and I, we normally eat 1/2 a loaf and by the next day it is not as good.
Good luck and have fun with your breadmaking adventure. Can't wait to see more bread pictures and recipes.

YD

Keri said...

hELLO June Cleaver, is that you? LOL. This bread looks awesome! Very impressive. I am now your loyal follower. If you ever have a spare minute, come visit my blog at www.samwich365.com. I would be honored to have you visit/comment or best of all follow. Happy New Year. Keri (a.k.a. Sam)

Judy T said...

Your bread looks lovely. Isn't it fun to do the braided bread? Yours looks so much more brown and crusty than mine. I would have liked to bake mine a bit longer but everyone was hungry for dinner. Next time....
Judy

Joanna@BooneDocksWilcox said...

I have absolutely no discipline over fresh-baked bread, yours looks delicious.

Karen Sue said...

I printed this recipe off and also one for soft pretzels... I hope for this to be a bread year for me, too. It does look lovely. Good job and keep us up on your good recipes!

Mama of 4 Blessings said...

Looks Great! Is that your Yorkie's on the blog banner? Too cute!

Country Girl said...

HCM, They aren't my yorkies they are my best friends. We have had them here almost every weekend for a few months. Little rugrats but they are cute. I have a love/hate relationship with them.

Danni said...

Ahhhhhhhh, bread baking.....mmmmmm!!! I have been baking out of "Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day" for the last few months and have had so much fun. So simple, SO tasty..it's incredible to have dough in the fridge for a quick fresh loaf when you feel like it! I'm starting to worry, though, about that spare tire around my middle, though - I've baked my way through over 30 lbs (!!) of flour in the last 3 months! :-)

My favorite so far is the buttermilk bread with garlic and parmesan. WOW!
Your loaves look wonderfully delicious!!

Amy said...

My first time visiting here but I feel like I know you already. I could have written you past couple posts, well besides the ice fishing :). I have just gotten into bread making. I have also started making butter and soft cheeses. I have started with the book Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a day and have had pretty good success with it. Your hubby's success with the bagels has got my wheels turning :) I am just gonna have to try it. Sad part is I didn't even know bagels were boiled until reading this book..haha. Ok sorry for the long comment. I would love for everyone to come check out my newly started blog about my crazy country life.
http://graysonsfunnyfarm.blogspot.com/

Amy