30 March 2009

I *will* conquer the bread....

I'm not sure that I could ever live without bread. And by that I mean, fresh baked french bread or something similar. I honestly cannot be held reponsible if you stand between me and a still warm baguette....It could get ugly. But since we're trying to live a little more "off the grid" and be more self sufficient, I'm trying to master making my own bread. Wheat bread. But after many attempts of nastiness and a failed batch from a fellow bread maker that came out like mud, I think I have it figured out. Easiest recipe ever and fluffy, half wheat half white bread. Can you hear the angels singing?

1 1/2 tbs dry active yeast (is it really advisable to use the non active stuff?)
1 1/2 tbs kosher salt
3 cups lukewarm water
3 1/2 cups wheat pastry flour
3 cups white flour

Mix it all up and let it sit on your counter for about 2 hours. Punch the dough down again with a little kneading, and let rise again for another 2 or so hours. Punch down and knead and place in bread pan or whatever you would like to bake it all up in, and let rise again to desired height (another 2 or so hours). At this point those little yeasties have worked purty hard and should make a lovely bread. Bake @ 350 for about 45 minutes.

*drool*

3 comments:

  1. I know doing it the old fashioned way is better and more respectable-- but if anyone ever offers you a free bread machine- TAKE IT.

    Nec's grandmother gave us one, and WOW! All you do is drop the ingredients in, close the lid, tell it how brown you want the crust and walk away from it. Three hours later you have a wonderful loaf of whatever- with no kneading, waiting for it to rise, nothing. I swear- this is a technological advance that's worth investing in.

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  2. oh- and I should probably stay away from you because I love bread too. I'd live off of it and it alone if I could, so I can see us getting into fist fights over the last bun.

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  3. *jaw drop* awesome idea! I had yet to cut my 2 loaves so I will now try to make rolls. *double drool*

    The bread thing is sort of a problem....I seriously get agitated and need it. I once took down an entire baguette by myself on a 3 hour car ride...just muching on the loaf. I don't care. I have no pride. lol

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