What is better than fresh bread? What can satisfy the soul and stomach more than a salty warm square or chunk covered in butter?
Time line of my bread making:
7 am- I hurry on my walk with Tess dog because I have just submerged the yeast in the water, I'm trying out a new recipe so I'm paranoid of each step.
7:30- in goes whole wheat flour, dry milk, honey with the yeast and water- Thank you kitchen aid for making my bread attempts easier. The sponge sits for an hour.
8:30- More flour, salt, and butter are mixed in- it becomes to thick for the Kitchen aid to handle- so i take it out and begin the kneading process- push out, fold over, turn, push out, fold over, turn. I try to get a rhythm down but struggle a little- wondering if the bread notices---
I let the bread sit for 2 hours while I go run errands
10:30- Yay the bread has risen so well-- I can't explain the joy i get in this--Punch the bread down (my favorite part). Let rise again.
11:30- punch down again. Let rise for one more hour
12:30- Shaping the loafs a new way then I have before. They are so beautiful and fat. I want to eat the dough. Let rise for 30 minutes.
1:00- Oven's at 350....wondering if I have time to run to the store while it bakes for 50 minutes.
1:50- rushing back from the store I arrive at perfect moment to take out my loafs...they are so perfect and tall and I'm beyond delighted. Let cool.
2:30- My friend arrives and I set a warm piece in front of her with butter and honey, and one in front of myself...I take a bite and am overrun with feelings of satisfaction.
Bread is perfect. Friend agrees- yet doesn't feel the process in her mouth like I do I'm sure.
SO many things I love about baking- but I never feel as satisfied as I do when i eat a gigantic piece of warm bread and think of all the hours that have paid off.
