I am a terrible baker. So sorry for anyone who has had to partake in my past creations - I tried, really I did.
Well, Mindy (of the family Andrew's building the house for in Maine) is a fabulous baker. She is my bread-making idol. Yes, she's even one of those who makes their own sandwich bread and never buys store-bought and her bread is incredible. You could only be so lucky to be in her home for pizza night. I gained weight in Maine and I know why!
So I set on my quest to correct my Achilles Heel of baking. It really started about a year ago when we completed our long-term food supply with wheat, wheat, and more wheat (okay there was beans, flour, spaghetti, oats, macaroni, pancake mix, and all sorts of miscellaneous items in that mix) and I had no idea what to do with it! I tried recipe after recipe and failed (I almost blew up my Kitchenaid motor in the process) and convinced Andrew I needed the right tools for the job so I got a state of the art wheat grinder and a Bosch mixer (like it was going to help me!).
I began to be the brunt of some Bosch teasing (anyone know my dad? By the way, he's another AMAZING baker). So I called Mindy to salvage my baking reputation. I should mention, Mindy is also a chemist - quite handy with all those intricate yeast things that are so alluding to me. She helped me take a recipe and work on how to make it right. I now know exactly what the water should feel like when adding it, I know it's okay to add more flour after kneading if it's still sticky, and I've learned rising dough too long makes sour dough (who knew?). And... I DID IT!!! The best bread I have ever made, and it is beautiful - no crazy bubbles, no weird yeast flavor, no brick-like texture - just incredibly yummy bread. I used half of the dough for a loaf and half for some sticky buns, and I couldn't have been more excited with the outcome.
Anyone want some bread? Now, I'm off to master pizza-making (say a prayer!).
9 comments:
I am so proud of you! Way to go Kara!!! I know you may not have wanted to be crazy like me and make the 6 loaves at a time, but they do freeze well. If I remember correctly from when I had a Bosch, 6 loaves does not quite fit. I often had dough flinging out the top, but I always tried to do it anyway even if I had to through out that piece of dough :) 4 loaves should fit fine in your mixer. The more you make at one time, the less times you have to clean up, right? BTW, I am uploading pics to the blog right now...just waiting....so you should get an update tonight!
Yea!! Now come show me your yeast tricks - mine only works about 50% of the time . . . ugh
That looks so yummy! Any chance you'll still have some bread when we come over tomorrow?
The sticky buns were yummy. Thanks!
Can you share your bread recipe?
Your triumph over the bread gremlins is exciting. If you are interested in experimenting just a bit more, please stop by my site (kitchenlane.com) and download my really fuss-free kneadless oat bread. It is from my new book, Kneadlessly Simple, and people who have had trouble with regular yeast bread recipes have been really happy and successful with mine.
If you are a terrible baker then I am a super terrible baker. Seriously Kara I don't think I've ever not liked something you've made. I wish I could make you my personal baker and chef- but I don't think Scott would go for that.
Kara - It's great to see some else as amazed by Mindy's baking genius as I am! I obviously haven't had as much time to watch the master as you have thought! Your rolls look super-duper! - Bessie Dean Rasmussen
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