Just baked my first loaf of bread...
not a great achievement I know, but its very tasty! Just wanted to share!
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19 Comments:
Congratulations! I think baking bread is really rewarding. It can get addictive though...watch out or the next thing you know, all your free time will be devoted to making bread!
Jacquie at 11:09AM on 04/16/08
Congrats! It may not seem like much of a big deal to most experienced cooks, but your first loaf of bread IS a big deal! hope you took a pic. I know I took a pic of mine and of my first roasted turkey when I was 10. Good Job!
huney_bumper at 11:09AM on 04/16/08
Yeah I made a whole entry on my blog dedicated to it, many pics :) I have almost eat it all already, I think your right Jacquie I do feel like making some more!
TheManchesterKitchen at 11:19AM on 04/16/08
Congrats! It definitely is a big deal if you're not used to the process, but yes addicting as well!
The first time I made bread and cut into it to see it was fully cooked and looked perfect I called my sister and exclaimed "I have made fire!" Like Tom Hanks in Castaway!
bobcatsteph3 at 11:22AM on 04/16/08
Cheers from the sidelines!!! Another believer I am so proud.
JerzeeTomato at 11:28AM on 04/16/08
It was definitely a "Eureka" moment! :)
TheManchesterKitchen at 11:31AM on 04/16/08
Way to go Manc'!!!
My first try was going well, then the dishwasher repairman showed up. This is a true story, I swear. He was an elderly Italian man, sweetest guy you could ever meet. He fixed the dishwasher lickety split (love that term), then proceeded to tell me (in his heavily accented English) about all the different kinds of bread he makes and how much he loves to make bread. He ended up spending the day with me, kneading and waiting for dough to rise. He completely took over and taught me a lot. That was 30 some years ago and I'd rate it one of my best days ever. He regaled me with wonderful stories too and the bread was the best I have ever tasted. Wish I could remember his name, but thanks Mr. Italian Dishwasher Repairman Master Breadbaker!
PerkyMac at 11:42AM on 04/16/08
Yay! I bet it'll be hard to go back :)
bitchincamero at 11:42AM on 04/16/08
Yeah, I doubt I am going to try and bake some a couple of times a week, quick question, does anyone know of a way in which I can freeze some dough in advance for a quick bake? or at what stage I can freeze it? I mean, fresh baked is ideal i know but I was wondering.
TheManchesterKitchen at 11:57AM on 04/16/08
Congratulations!!! I still remember how chuffed I was when I baked my first loaf:-)
brooke29 at 1:05PM on 04/16/08
not a great achievement...
May I be so bold as to correct you? It is definitely a great achievement. So few people bake bread at home and it should be encouraged. If more people baked bread at home, we'd spend a lot less in shrinks.
Try doing so on a chilly day and enjoy it with a mug of your favorite soup. Heaven.
PS - If a few days pass and you do not finish your loaf, slice it, place in ziplock bag and freeze the bread. Makes great toast for a quickie breakfast.
chiff0nade at 1:22PM on 04/16/08
There are many ways you can freeze or refrigerate dough to bake later. I think it's best after the first rise and shaping. Let it come to room temp so the yeast re-activates before baking. If you google freezing bread dough you'll get many methods and opinions.
You may want to check out (borrow from your library) Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day by Jeff Hertzberg and Zoe Francois
http://www.amazon.com/Artisan-Bread-Five-Minutes-Revolutionizes/dp/0312362919/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1208366630&sr=8-1
In this book you essentially make a large batch of dough and store it in the fridge for use when you want it, it can last a few weeks and the flavors change with every loaf due to the time it's stored, and there are many flavor variations possible.
Also have you tried the NY Times No Knead Bread? Or Cooks Illustrated's No Knead Bread 2.0? These are the recipes that got me truly addicted to bread baking, so be warned!
bobcatsteph3 at 1:30PM on 04/16/08
@ chiff0nade, Well I'm actually a psychiatric nurse so I'm killing two birds with one loaf :)
TheManchesterKitchen at 2:01PM on 04/16/08
That's great! Congrats. (and I wish you could send me some :) )
I'm surprised though, that it seems nobody asked what kind of bread you made. I'm curious :)
luswim06 at 2:04PM on 04/16/08
Just a simple white loaf, check out my blog if you like I've put some pics up too! I'm thinking of trying Irish soda bread next :)
TheManchesterKitchen at 2:27PM on 04/16/08
Congrats @Manc. I don't think I've ever been as proud as I was when I made my first loaf of bread. Sourdough. My kitchen smelled awesome, and I felt like the great earth mother. I made a pot of lentil soup and let me tell you, I don't think I've ever felt as crunchy granola as I did that day. My mom gave me the best directions on how to knead and how the bread should feel when it had risen properly (working out the kinks on a good friend's neck, and like a baby's belly - she's been baking her own bread for over 30 years) and I was so worried that it wouldn't come out well, but it was wonderful.
Where's your blog? I'd love to check it out, and definitely wanna see the pictures.
chisai at 7:40PM on 04/16/08
Congratulations!!!!! Baking bread is so rewarding. It is also a great stress reliever. Wish I had some started now ...
http://nujoikitchendiary.blogspot.com/
NuJoi at 9:03PM on 04/16/08
That's great! Baking bread is one of my goals for the kitchen... eventually. I'll have to check out your blog for details, and maybe some inspiration!
woodenspoon at 10:11PM on 04/16/08
The Manchester Kitchen , if you were still interested Chisai!
TheManchesterKitchen at 1:12PM on 04/17/08