Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Bread Baking 101

I'm not sure what's gotten into me, but how fun it is to make bread! Yesterday, on a whim, I decided to make some focaccia. I haven't made a lot of yeast breads in my time- a half dozen batches of cinnamon rolls, french bread once in college I think... and that's about it. So I had the ingredients in my kitchen for a Parmesan focaccia and I gave it a whirl! This is all that's left- it turned out pretty good! The bottom was a little more crispy that I'd like, and it could have used some more interesting flavors, but not bad for a first try. Tonight I'm making lentil soup for dinner so I thought a hearty, rustic white bread would be fantastic. I didn't have any bread flour, but my cookbook said I could just use all purpose flour and the crumb would not have the same chew but it would work. So, again, I gave it a whirl. Of course, as everything was in the works, I ran out of flour entirely. Not being much of a baker, there's only so much that fits in my little canister and I used it all up between yesterday and today! If only I remembered that i had whole wheat flour in the fridge- I *just* remembered that right now. What an idiot!! I decided to go ahead and finish the loaf as best I could with it being a little sticky. (see here, the dough is supposed to be tight and smooth.) I figured it would be okay. The finished product: kinda flat and way too brown. Disappointed novice baker:
'Til next time!

7 comments:

Tara said...

I wanted to make bread to go with my lentil soup the other day, and I had NO flour in my house at all! Your foccacia looks great and I like the "novice baker" pic---funny! :-)

The Boggs Family said...

You're making me hungry for bread! I love the "disappointed" breakdmaker picture- too cute!

Unknown said...

yummy foccacia.

this summer I caught my own wild yeast. Made a starter and tried my hand a bread making. I had some success and some funny flops.

My goal is to get my starter back and make bread.

ck2m said...

I have always wanted to make my own bread too. I do quick breads but nothing with yeast. I think your bread looks yummy. I just got Corey started eating beans but if you have a good lentil recipe I would love to have it. Great picture:)

Jamie said...

I am impressed by your foccacia bread. You should post the recipe for us all to try. If you are looking for an awesome sandwich bread and a easy rustic artisan bread, I am willing to share my recipes too.

A silly story...I make almost all my own bread. When I got pregnant I could not stand the smell of wheat so I started buying some bread. Daniel would not eat it. He is a bread snob already. :-)

Congrats on a yummy loaf of bread.

Unknown said...

what do you know, despite the lame looking exterior, it was quite the tasty loaf! i'm excited to try it again (with enough flour!) and see if it's even better.

Unknown said...

Your foccacia looks yummy! I'm game for you posting the recipe! I'm always up for trying new things. I just tried a lentil soup recipe last week. I'd love to compare it to yours. Mine needed more flavor. It was definitely better the second day!