Wednesday, February 27, 2008

It May be Contagious

First off, let's pretend that it has not been almost two months since my last post. We (meaning me), are going to overlook that little detail and move ahead.

Anyone who knows me well, and probably a few who don't know me so well, know that I love to cook and bake as much as I love to knit. I often think this blog looks more like a cooking blog that a knitting one, but they're both a part of me.

Well...

I think I may have contracted a new addiction. Bread making. My Foodie Girl, aka: Kelly, and I discussed this book, a while back, then she went and bought it. She kindly shared her experiences and the recipe formula, and now I too have the "Bread Making Disease". Yeah, 'cause there weren't already enough carbs in my life. Although, in my own defense I have already shared my bread making results with my children, my friend Kim, neighbours, and several co workers, so at least I am not hording. The first batch of dough never even made it in to the fridge. The second managed a whole 12 hrs or so before being delved into to make a few cheesy, herby rolls.

I have had to slightly modify my cooking method from what the recipe suggests. I don't have a baking stone, so I have utilised the method from another no-knead bread. I place my Grandmother's cast iron dutch oven into the oven, and allow it to pre-heat. When the dough has rested and the oven is fully pre-heated I carefully plop the semi-shaped dough into the pot and place on the lid. I then let the bread bake and turn into a much desired orb of yummyness. Works pretty well, the crust is crispy, yet not to tough and the bread is light and moist without being either too dense or too wholey. I definitely think this will become a problem. Between, cookies, cupcakes, biscuits and now bread, I may need a part time job just to supplement the costs of baking supplies, not too mention the knitting supplies.

Speaking of knitting, it's been a little slow. I have been experiencing some hand an wrist troubles that occasionally get in the way, and I'm still busy playing with the new oven. I did however manage to finish a hat for little Charlie Girl, requested by her Mom. A Bumble Bee! I love the way it turned out. It is exactly as I imagined it, and it was very easy. A simple, striped , rolled brim hat with i-cord antennae.


One more thing, Kelly has coerced me into attempting to partake in National Blog Posting Month or NaBloPoMo as it is more commonly known. It is apparently going monthly. I will try. However, I don't always have access to the internet on weekends, so I can't make any promises.

2 comments:

Jeff Hertzberg said...

I warn you, it is contagious. I'm one of the co-authors of the book; if you want to post any questions or comments to our website, we're at www.artisanbreadinfive.com.

Thanks for your enthusiasm!
Jeff Hertzberg

kelly.dee said...

I love the shout out to MEEEEEE!