Yesterday, quietly watching as the skies darkened, I knew we were in for some rain and decided to make bread. It's "comforting" to make bread; the kneading and shaping gives me great satisfaction. I made a recipe by King Arthur Flour for Crusty Bread made in a Cloche. However, you could also use a cast iron Dutch Oven to achieve this.
Bread is one of the most basic of baked goods. You simply need, flour, yeast, salt and water; a very inexpensive way to create something to eat...and oh, so satisfying. The girls and I made Kentish Hufkins, among other goodies...
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| A Tea Party after making my Mom's favorite Chocolate Cake recipe! |
Maddie also started a quilt and both girls had fun making 3-dimensional flowers for cards for their mom's upcoming birthday in August.
And ice cream on Mimi's swing to watch the Hummingbirds, butterflies, and Gold Finches comes to my garden!
Crusty Bread
3 1/2 cups (14 3/4 oz) King Arthur All-Purpose flour
1 1/4 cups (10 oz) lukewarm water
2 tsp. SAF Red Instant Yeast
1 1/4 tsp. Salt
2 T Olive Oil
Place all dry ingredients in a stand mixer and use the dough hook to mix. Slowly add the warm water and olive oil and mix until a smooth, slightly sticky dough.
Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Allow to rise 1 to 1 1/2 hours until almost doubled.
I placed it on my screened-in porch, with the temperatures in the 90's, it doesn't take long to rise!
Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured bread board, gently deflate the dough and shape it into a ball. Place the dough on the bottom of the Cloche and cover with the lid. Allow the dough to rise for 30 to 45 minutes, until almost doubled in size.
Uncover the loaf and slashed several times. Put the lid back on and place into a cold oven. Set the oven temperature to 400F-degrees and bake the bread for 35 minutes.
Remove the lid of the lid of the Cloche and return the bread to the oven and bake until golden brown, about 5 to 10 minutes. Mine took the full 10 minutes.
Take the bread out of the oven and transfer to a rack to cool. I was imagining I was in Paris at a little cafe enjoying some cheese and bread...maybe a glass of wine. Enjoy!
What fun with your Grandgirls!! I love bread and this one looks so good. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteNice that you have been having lots of fun with your grandchildren, Susan. The bread has such beautiful crust and crumb. An excellent bread recipe, Susan.
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely fun you all have had, and it is good to see children enjoying crafting and baking so much. The bread looks so delicious, I was wondering what a cloche was, and I've never seen bread baked that way. xoxo
ReplyDeleteYou can also use a Dutch oven, but the stone Cloche is perfect for that "crusty" effect.
DeleteYour Granddaughters are precious! I know you had fun. I'd love to make this bread. I don't have a cloche but maybe I could bake it in a pan without one. I'll have to think about that! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteYour grands are adorable! I'm missing mine since we have been in the country but we're going home on Monday! Your bread looks delicious and I imagine your whole house smelled heavenly!
ReplyDeleteSusan, it's so nice seeing your granddaughters enjoying themselves baking and crafting. I really like Maddie's quilt project--pretty colors. I agree about baking bread--it is a comforting process. I used to make bread in my dutch oven to get that crusty crust--your cloche method is nice. Have a nice weekend. XOXO ♥
ReplyDeleteI wondered if anyone noticed...the quilt is being pieced with "apron scraps!"
DeleteI love to see sweet grands learning from their grandmas, Susan. It looks like your girls have been quite busy with baking, sewing and card making. The bread look fabulous, and there's nothing better than that wonderful smell of bread baking! Eating it is the real reward, and I like your idea of pretending that you're in a cafe' in Paris!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a pretty loaf! Your grandgirlies are so cute and so accomplished. You have taught them so much. (Don't give up your blog easily!)
ReplyDeleteI have never had much luck making bread. It looks so easy, but I've not been successful :-(
ReplyDeleteOH my I know your house smelled heavenly Susan...what precious granddaughters....You must have enjoyed every minute!
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ReplyDeleteYour grands are adorable and that bread looks delicious!
ReplyDeleteI think both of us could run a great camp for kids. It sounds like you kept your grandkids busy with all sorts of projects, as I kept my nieces busy. I like the little quilt idea. We may have to do that next year. Thanks for the ideas.
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