“How can a nation be called great if its bread tastes like kleenex?” Julia Child
Let’s forget about calories, carbohydrates and gluten* for just a moment shall we? Bread is the stuff of life. There is nothing like the aroma of warm loaves fresh from the oven. Cut a slice of that crisp crust and smear it with butter, let it drip down your fingers as it melts and savor … Accompanying hot soup on a cold day, with aged cheese and good olives for an hors d’oeuvre, good bread is one of life’s small pleasures.
Like my character Maya, in Breaking Bread, I love to bake. And even more than sweets, I love to bake bread. I fantasize about living in Paris in an apartment over un boulangerie, waking every morning to the smells of bread and strong coffee…. and in an effort to bring that fantasy as close as I can to reality (at least until I figure out a good plan to fake my own death, collect on the insurance and make my escape…) I have been baking my own bread for the last … well, a long time.
Some of my favorites: A simple baguette – water, salt, flour and yeast. A brioche – sweet and rich with eggs and sugar. Challah – braided and risen in a pretty pattern. And a simple maple buttermilk bread, perfect for toast in the morning. Oh, and home made deep dish pizza…
J’adore le bon pain. Avec un cafe, sil vous plait!
*unless of course you are intolerant to gluten or have celiac disease
Oh, yum! I want a breadmaker for Christmas, I’m dying to try some new things. Yours all look wonderful ❤
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That is how I started bread baking – with a bread maker. They are foolproof and the loaves come out great!
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Any tips on brand? Do you always use bread flour? I saw a Cuisinart brand that got good ratings. I’m actually excited about this 🙂
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Yes, the Cuisinart is a good machine. And no you don’t always have to use bread flour. Bread flour has a slightly higher gluten content -makes bread chewer- you can buy gluten at the grocery store and add it to regular flour for the same result. 1 tablespoon gluten per 1 cup all purpose flour.
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Really, you can buy gluten? I had no idea! Thanks for the info ❤
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Absolutely! Hodgson Mills! Also… visit the King Arthur Flour website and/or follow them on Pinterest. Your cup will runneth over!
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Thanks, will do. Can’t wait to bake some Brea!
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You’ll love it!
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Or even bread 🙂
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Impressive 👀
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Thanks, Paul! 🙂
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Now look what you’ve done. Mouth watering at 10pm!
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Time for a snack!
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Bit late for baking though!
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Biscuits then…. Till tomorrow!
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Ohhh my god. Yum! And here I’ve just gone carb free this week. 😓😍😄
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Pffft! That’s what New Year’s resolutions are for! Oh I’m terrible… You go girl!
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It’s just for two weeks. I do it every once in a while. First ten days is easy…then I’m a half dead whiny bitch for four days. 😁
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Ha! I’ve tried the carb free thing, too. I am miserable from day one. All (ok, some) things in moderation! 😉
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Lol. Now it’s worse because I have a lot of sugar in my house and I usually don’t. But as long as I don’t get hungry, I’m ok. Me + hungry= watch out! I am meeean!!
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Where’s Gordon Ramsey when you need him?!? 😀
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Omg…he wouldn’t be cooking for me. Though he could feed me something… *drool* 😜😈
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Hahahaha! That is awesome!
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My favorite part of baking bread is when you tap the bottom of the loaf and hear that wonderful hollow sound. Of course, eating it (all of it) is truly bliss! Your skills far surpass mine, obviously – beautiful loaves! Now, I must ask . . . do you churn your own butter too? Such talent!
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Oh my word! That’s so funny! I thought about trying to churn butter. Apparently you can even do it with a Kitchen Aid mixer. I’m thinking it would burn out the motor, however! LOL! 😀
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You can churn your butter with a mason jar. You just have to shake it for a long time. I’ve done it. Hand made butter tastes AMAZING.
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Wow! The must have taken a long time!
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Half an hour. Chatting with a friend who is also doing the same thing makes for good bonding.
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That’s a great idea!
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Definitely do not ruin your Kitchen Aid…I was thinking more along the line of an oak bucket and broom handle-type of contraption! hahaha
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Ooh my! Too much work for me!
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What’s a few hours of churning among friends? hahaha
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I’ll be right over! Keep it warm for me!
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You got it babe!
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Yum! M loves to bake too, most especially bread. His favorite is ciabatta.
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Ooooooh! That’s awesome! I’ve only tried ciabatta once – haven’t got the hang of it, yet!
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Your pizza looks amazing!!
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Thank you! That has been a lot of fun experimenting with!
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You’re welcome! (Save me a slice!)
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Deal!
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Oui!! Those look terrific. We bake, a bit, but it’s usually in the form of pies, cobblers, etc. I’ve never really tried my hand at breads though. I recall having a bread maker in our kitchen as a kid, but only saw it used a handful of times. Had a grandma who made her own breads. Her house always smelled terrific. 😃
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Thanks! Oh fresh bread? Magnifique! Try it this winter, y’all will be hooked! And really it’s not that difficult. If you have a decent stand mixer and a dough hook (which most companies offer as accessories) you can do this!
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We do actually, a Kitchen Aid and we have the dough hook too. You’re convincing me to try it. Question though: where’d you get the loaf pan? Are they readily available?
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The baguette pan? King Arthur Flour company. They have EVERYTHING you could possibly want for bread baking. I’m going to email you my baguette recipe.
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Perfect! Thanks a bunch! 😊
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You bet! 😃
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You make me miss France! What a great meal, soup and crusty bread with some nice cheese! I love it!
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Thank you so much!
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Girl, I’m on my way! I used to make our bread years and years ago. You are inspiring me to try it again. I’ve only ever made country white so I’d love some recipes for others to try.
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There are some fantastic recipes on Pinterest, King Arthur Flour company… the baguettes are simple. The trick is letting them rise completely!
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Oh I want to try now.
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I have been seriously thinking of buying an oven (Indian food does not need an oven, and the oven is not a part of the average Indian kitchen). Your post made my mind up for me. I am getting it. I will send my credit card bill to you though 😉
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Hahaha! May you enjoy it so much, the cost will be worth it!
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Wow! Looks yumm. Time to try out your baking skills…please bake me something 😄
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You got it!
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One of these days I’m going to drive to PA just to try your baking and have a beer 🍻 with you! It’s long overdue
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I agree! 😃
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