Making bread. Something I've been meaning to do for a while now, since we did it at the Waldorf parent/tot groups we went to last year. Think I've always been a little wary of it, what with all the yeast and rising and what have you, always thought it sounded tricky. Sure, I've used packets but that ain't 'real breadmaking' now is it? I keep reading articles on how all the kneading is supposed to be meditative and soothing so we just might get some peace around here for a few minutes, and even if you can't pull off the serenity bit then at least you can munch on the results. There really isn't anything quite like bread fresh from the oven is there?
Getting down to business, we used Jamie Oliver's basic bread recipe from 'Jamie's Dinners'. He includes a whole host of different variations from the basic recipe, but all I wanted was honest no messing about bread. We used 100% wholewheat bread flour, dried yeast packets and honey. Heap your flour on a surface and pour the yeast/water combo into the centre he says. Okey dokey. Err, what about all the liquid cascading off the side of the kitchen counter? Wondering why we didn't use a bowl (which was his alternative suggestion) at this point. Ok, I get it, mix it from the pool at the centre outwards using your hand in a circular motion. Just about holding it together at this point, add more water, now we're cooking. Before you know it we have a lovely sticky mass of dough to knead for 5 mins, which is quite soothing I have to say, and a good wrist workout. Anything that involves dough, or indeed just flour, is a hit with Boo, so she is entranced at this point.
Much to my surprise (oh me of little faith), the bread turned out wonderfully, after the requisite risings/knocking out. I didn't quite manage to get a pic of the finished loaf before a little (and a big) mouth were wolfing down its still warm deliciousness.
My other focus at present is Project Studio. In its current state:
It can only be up from here! Watch this space...
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