I live in a farmhouse on five acres in the country. It’s time for this suburban girl to learn a few things!
Welcome to my self-taught Homesteading 101.
Update on Daily Bread Post #1: I’m getting better! I try to bake something at least three times a week and I think the consistency is key. Through lots of trail and error, I’m learning what a properly kneaded dough consistency looks like. I’m better at handling ciabatta dough (the trick is flouring everything). Best of all, I’m gaining confidence and my curiosity drives me to try more and more. Bread has become a surprising aspect of self-care for me this winter.
Below are four new recipes that I’ve added to the mix:
- Dutch Oven Bread
- My first try at learning about bread by sight and feel. It’s fascinating to me that four simple ingredients can react together to make such a artful product.
- Consensus: SO good! Just fluffy enough and the crust was delicious.
- Homemade Cinnamon Bread
- I made this one with the kids. I definitely need practice with tighter rolling, but they didn’t seem to mind.
- Consensus: Delicious. Definitely a sweet bread and it made a nice afternoon snack. I wish it had lasted longer to have toasted for breakfast!
- Soft Pretzel Rolls
- Thanks for the link, KD! My first time boiling dough and scoring the tops. I loved the whole process.
- Consensus: When Mark tried one, he declared that they were even better than Wegmans – HIGH praise since Wegmans is his favorite! I’ve made them three times since and like them either dipped in cinnamon sugar or as a sandwich with lunchmeat and cheese.
- French Bread
- This recipe makes two huge loaves, which is great for my family. I need to work on my pinching and sealing technique – one loaf ended up looking a little funky.
- Consensus: A delicious dense loaf that went perfectly with our white chicken lasagna soup. I think it would be a good pick for sandwiches too.
Next up: I just got a new sourdough cookbook and am anxious to grow my own starter once it warms up a bit. What else should I bake? Share with me your favorites!
Those all sound so good! I tried a Dutch oven recipe that was supposed to be like Costco's cranberry walnut bread- it didn't quite taste as good, but I didn't let it sit for 3 days either, like the recipe recommended, as I was too impatient to try it.:) Another Dutch oven favorite is lemon, rosemary, and gruyere.
Three days is WAY too long to wait, hah!
Those both sound amazing – adding them to the list, thanks!!
Ooh, I think my guys would love those pretzel rolls! Might need to try those. One of our faves is English Muffin bread….http://moneysavingmom.com/2012/06/easy-and-delicious-homemade-english-muffin-bread.html. Tastes best toasted with butter! I love that it makes 2 loaves, so I always slice them both and put one in the freezer. (Although y'all might be able to eat 2 pretty quickly, ha!)
Ooh, I think I saved that recipe when you shared it on your blog awhile ago. Thank you for the reminder!
I like using my no-knead bread recipe to make focaccia – so so easy and everyone loves it! I just take half of the recipe, flatten it on an oiled pan, put herbs & cheese on it, and bake for 15 minutes at 450 😊
That sounds delicious and so easy! Adding it to the list, thanks!