Welcome to Gaia! ::

Today I gave a loaf of home-made French bread to my mother-in-law whee

I made two loaves yesterday; it's the first time I've made bread without a bread machine. heart

I bought this here book http://books.google.com/books?id=gxW0MGXha6cC&printsec=frontcover&dq=gaia's+garden&ei=T7azS-yUC6TCyQSJn5y3BA&cd=1#v=onepage&q=&f=true

Also, I have a blog post about french-ish bread. I think I should make a blog post about this awesome recipe I just winged the other day. I just kinda took the produce and spices I had around and made something delicious. Delicious rice.

I'm curious too!

And here is the bread recipe I used, very simple:

French Bread

Ingredients

* 6 cups all-purpose flour
* 2 1/2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast (5 tsp)
* 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
* 2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
* 1 tablespoon cornmeal
* 1 egg white
* 1 tablespoon water

Directions

1. In a large bowl, combine 2 cups flour, yeast and salt. Stir in 2 cups warm water, and beat until well blended using a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment. Using a wooden spoon, stir in as much of the remaining flour as you can.
2. On a lightly floured surface, knead in enough flour to make a stiff dough that is smooth and elastic. Knead for about 8 to 10 minutes total. Shape into a ball. Place dough in a greased bowl, and turn once. Cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled.
3. Punch dough down, and divide in half. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Cover, and let rest for 10 minutes. Roll each half into large rectangle. Roll up, starting from a long side. Moisten edge with water and seal. Taper ends.
4. Grease a large baking sheet. Sprinkle with cornmeal. Place loaves, seam side down, on the prepared baking sheet. Lightly beat the egg white with 1 tablespoon of water, and brush on. Cover with a damp cloth. Let rise until nearly doubled, 35 to 40 minutes.
5. With a very sharp knife, make 3 or 4 diagonal cuts about 1/4 inch deep across top of each loaf. Bake in a preheated 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) oven for 20 minutes. Brush again with egg white mixture. Bake for an additional 15 to 20 minutes, or until bread tests done. If necessary, cover loosely with foil to prevent over browning. Remove from baking sheet, and cool on a wire rack.



P.S.: That book looks amazing heart I'm reading the preview stuff now; hopefully I can buy it once we catch up on the bills and stuff.

I really hope you didn't do that!

That's good news. OUCH!

I'm anxious to see a wrapped handle. Have you thought about any local markets yet?

Today was day two of my new cost effective exercise routine: Playing some really great and energetic songs and dancing like a maniac. I was really working up a sweat and had stitches in my sides, so I think it's working. I hope so, it's the most fun I've ever had working out (except when I swim and go to raves). I felt very relaxed and comfortable after :3

Today we had a cookout, in spite of the wind, and an egg hunt! There were 5 dozen eggs, all cooked and decorated, with 19-to 23-year-olds looking for them, baskets in hand and smiles on their faces. It was just great! I never expected any of these guys to want to do this when they grew up, but they really had a lot of fun, and I had a great time watching them. biggrin