Have I told of my love for bread? No? That's not possible. I'm quite passionate about it. Like if I was stuck on desert island with only one food, that's what I'd choose. But then I'd miss butter. And cake, of course.
I often choose restaurants based purely on their bread offerings. Make it warm and mushy and I'm there. And I'm offended by people who leave it there in the basket untouched. How dare they?
Of course, this little love is not very good for my waistline. I could never give up carbs. I tried the Atkins diet once and it made me very very sick. I do still have a few lingering baby pounds that I've really been trying to shed lately. So the fact that I got this book, that everyone's already talked about on their blogs, has not helped.
But how could I not try it? And let me tell you, it does not disappoint. The only really negative I can say is they tell you to wait til the bread cools to eat it. What?!?!? There's nothing better than hot, fresh bread. I guess it cuts better when cooled, but I just rip it apart in big chunks, so who cares?
My mom has an amazing bread recipe that she makes on holidays. We all look forward to it. It's your typical yeast bread with all the kneading and rising, so it's bit labor intensive, but the results are beyond scrumptious.
But believe me, you don't want to know how much butter goes into those babies. It's best if you never know. And I'm not posting a recipe, not because it's top secret, but because I'm lazy and I don't want to go get it. Really, how many of you would try it anyway?
JT
I am totally with you on the bread. I checked that book out from the library, and I am just going to have to buy it. It is not a good checked out book. I just want to keep it.
And, as for the bread recipe, I would totally try it! I made yeast bread this weekend, but I need to work on the consistency of my dough. I am not sure what happened. I understand it being top secret though!
Thanks for sharing about your food favorites! Sounds like we are cut from the same cloth. Atkins made me sick too.
Posted by: Sandy | December 09, 2008 at 02:48 PM
I also am a total bread addict.
I was a professional baker for about 5 years and I still go on crazy bread-making binges 3 or 4 times a year.
I am in the midst of one now, and I never knew our family could go through so much butter!
I got the artisan book in 5 minutes a day too, it is a wonder.
Nice to know there are other bread fiends out there too...
Posted by: Jess | December 09, 2008 at 03:58 PM
I also am a bread addict. I love fresh bread so much that I refuse to buy store bread, so I make it every few days at home. (I know I'm weird, but the kneading is kind of therapeutic, and I love the smell wafting through the house....mmmmm....) If you're willing to post that recipe, I would totally try it!
p.s. just the thought of giving up bread on ANY diet make me ill!
Posted by: Rachel | December 10, 2008 at 09:08 AM
I love bread too! I try not to make it but for special occasions (like spaghetti night LOL) but it's so comforting when it's cold out. One of my current fav's is here :
http://www.kingarthurflour.com/shop/RecipeDisplay?RID=R255
I want people to know that I was here or there - that's why I always comment :)
Posted by: Amy @ parkcitygirl | December 10, 2008 at 12:02 PM
Yum! That looks good. I'm going to have to pick up that book!
Posted by: Christina W. | December 10, 2008 at 03:53 PM
I believe myself, my three sisters, and my children have an incurable addiction to bread. Fresh homemade bread even beats homemade cookies and cake. Although homemade cinnamon rolls are definitely right there at the top... mmm...
Posted by: Faith | December 10, 2008 at 04:53 PM
Who can wait until the bread cools down? That's one of the perks of baking it yourself, that you get to have a slice when it's still hot enough to burn you!
I tried Atkins too, and it made me cranky and sad!
Posted by: Alexis | December 10, 2008 at 05:27 PM
I'm still laughing about the last line you wrote. I'm so glad someone said it - SO MANY times girls ask me for recipes and I would LOVE to say "Are you really going to use this recipe? Because it's a pain in the rear to copy it down and I hate using my recipe cards I got at Sur La Table and I only have a couple of them left and I know YOU ARE NEVER GOING TO MAKE THIS!
Oh, in an aside (sounds so weird) my son and I made bread yesterday. We love, love, love bread.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/29635318@N07/3099642629/
Posted by: Jules | December 11, 2008 at 09:21 AM
i want this book
Posted by: jacqui jones | December 12, 2008 at 06:45 PM
I love homemade bread, so warm and buttery and yummy! I understand that you don't want to give out your recipe but if ever you do decide to pass it on for testing, i'd be more than happy to give it a go because i'm a bread addict too! x
Posted by: Trish James | December 14, 2008 at 03:41 AM
I bought the book, tried the recipes... and for some reason, my bread is flat and it is sooo hard! Any ideas on how to remedy that? Also do you do the water in the bottom of the oven and you really cook it at 450 degrees?
I would like it without the water and the high heat.
Posted by: MystikMomma | December 26, 2008 at 10:45 AM