My husband bakes all our bread. He started doing this when we received a bread machine as a gift. When the bread machine died from overuse, he just continued baking. Our cousin Cal, another man who bakes, gave us the no knead bread recipe - amazingly delicious! - it spurred my husband on. And he gave the recipe to his friend Jeff who is the baker and cook for his family.The fabulous loaves pictured above were not baked by my husband, but by a college buddy of his, Bob Fickett. His wife Vicky sent me these photos on Facebook, and the following story:
Bob's newest interest is bread. Bought him a book and he's taken off with baking every weekend...focaccia, ciabatta, cinnamon rolls, danish. Baker's choice. It really saved us last winter while we were adjusting to the girls being gone. Broke bread & wine and suddenly everything was clear, simple and fine.
Two Christmases ago Bob requested a "good bread book". I did a bit of research online and I gave him The Bread Baker's Apprentice; Mastering the Art of Extraordinary Bread by Peter Reinhart. Little did I know I had purchased one of the "bibles". And although he has since amassed a huge pile of bread & pastry books, this is the only one he follows. The rest, as they say, is history. Next: Carmel Pecan Sticky Buns! Can't wait!!!
And what could be better than home baked bread and a wood stove. Yes, good bread makes everything "clear, simple and fine." Thanks Vicky, for sharing.-Kathy
9 comments:
Love this! PS I cook too!!!!
I had not heard of the no knead bread recipe! I have had to stop making bread because i can no longer knead it. YAY!
What a great topic! I've baked bread for the past 20 years and my current favorite is Rye. I use a dough hook and finish up kneading on a bread board.
Village Books: sorry! I assumed you were like us, and I only cook when Scott is gone.
Diana: we discovered that you don't have to do the damp cloth part of the recipe. Also, I think my husband doubles it, because the dutch oven we use is large.
Mr. P's KB: I adore rye bread, and it is impossible to buy good rye. Could you point me to a good recipe? Do you have a favorite bread book?
I love baking bread but have yet to try the famous no-knead version. There is no treat quite as good as the end of a loaf broken off, smothered in butter and eaten while still warm. Heaven.
Absolutely, Poshyarns! I have not eaten bread for over three weeks. But my bread baker is coming home today. YAY! I did try the no-knead bread while he was away, but didn't pay enough attention (it needs very little) and had to throw it away (sob). Can hardly wait for fresh bread to happen here again.
mmm.bread,I could not agree with everyone else more ~~
I agree, there's nothing quite like fresh bread. We use a breadmaker, but add lots of seeds and nuts to make the bread even tastier! Thanks for visiting my blog.
You are welcome! Great colors on your baby surprise jacket, and it is lovely to see your tulips coming up.
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