Tuesday, February 7, 2012

BWJ -- White Loaves

BWJ: Up first, White Loaves hosted by Laurie and Jules.
This is just what I enjoy in a recipe; a short list of ingredients, challenging, but not daunting, forgiving of mistakes and most importantly, a delicious result.
I go through periods of baking bread, but they are few and far between. My first effort was in high school with a friend who was a more experienced baker than I. We made an African cardomon bread from one of the old Time-Life international cooking series. 
Since then, my bread baking activity had been inspired by, among other events, the purchase of a food processor, a snow storm, challah and bagel baking classes taught by our Rabbi, and moving to Southeastern Virginia and not knowing where to get good challah.

The smaller loaf was baked in a larger pan.

As I mentioned, the White  Loaves are most forgiving. In defrosting the butter in the microwave I melted half the butter. The dough was very wet, but this seemed not to affect the end product. I also added the salt rather late in the process and that made the bread noticably salty in places, but not too much. Finally, I only have one bread pan that is 8.5" x 4.5" so I used that and a larger pan. I actually liked the loaf that was baked in the larger pan. Still, my family appreciated the results and who could ask for more?

9 comments:

  1. Amazing that I stumbled on your particular blog through BWJ but we might be neighbors! I am also in VB and am glad to know I am not the only baker in town. :)

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  2. The loaves looks great!!!! I'm sure you and your family enjoyed them!

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    1. Thank you Mireia. We enjoyed them. I'm thinking of adding a cinnamon sugar swirl next time.

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  3. Several TWD bakers seemed to get great results with the slightly larger glass pans. I'll have to keep that in mind for next time. When the family approves, that's all that matters!

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  4. I agree, if the family approves what else really matters! The African cardamom bread sounds interesting too. I love cardamom!

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  5. Looks like they turned out just right! This was a fun start to the group.

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  6. If the family enjoyed, then it is a job well done, for sure!
    A bit of cardamom would have been nice in this loaf... HMMMM

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  7. African Cardamom Bread - yum! They look like they turned out absolutely perfect.

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  8. Thanks for stopping in my blog! I also started blogging because of BWJ, it's nice to meet more and more people that are participating in TWD, can't wait to see your next result!

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