I have become a bread maker, I hardly consider myself a baker, by chance. After experimenting with a few different things to sell at the local farmer's market it seemed that bread was the most popular. It has become so popular, in fact, that I have capped out on the quantity I can bake for any given market day. Yes, truly capped out. Even though I thought I could only bake 12 loaves in the beginning, I am truly capped out at 50.
I had no idea how passionate people were about their bread. Listening to people tell me what my bread does for their psyche is inspirational. I have heard stories like, "This bread that isn't really shaped like a loaf is just what my grandmother made. I love it."
"Do you make rye bread? But I bet you put white flour in it though, don't you?"
"We had your cheese bread with a glass of wine and some fruit and it was the best meal we have had in years."
"I love the texture, the holes, the density of your bread."
"Red fyfe...there's your red fyfe, Mom!"
"Can you make some pumpernickel for me? Don't worry, we are not that picky. Just experiment. We would also like some hotdog buns."
I have just purchased The Bread Bakers Apprentice cookbook and joined the Facebook group to make every recipe in the book. The first bread is Anadama. That is what I am making tonight. The story goes that a woman named Anna messed up her bread one day and her husband cried, "Anna, dammit!" and it actually turned out to be a very good bread. It was then called Anadama to avoid the expletive.
WOW 50 loaves, I have no idea how you do it, your oven has to be bigger than mine LOL. Wish we lived a little closer. Diane
ReplyDeleteI also love making bread, it's like alchemy to me. The smell of freshly baked bread in the house is priceless! I can imagine how much fun you are having!
ReplyDeleteToo funny:)
ReplyDeleteIt looks great:)
Beautiful! And how gratifying to have so many people enjoying your homemade food! Go Sarah! :)
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine making 50 loaves of bread... how do you knead it all??? What a trouper you are. I am so jealous you have found red fyfe wheat... I have been dying to try it.
ReplyDeleteI hate to say it, but maybe there's a new convection oven in your future... and a professional mixer (I love them.. they sell them used on the Bowery... giant, man sized mixers... whoa... you could make a million loaves with those babies!
Good heavens; 50 loaves! My hat of off to you, Even with a mixer and various other tools, I doubt I could ever match that. Even a few loaves makes me appreciate how much work pioneer women must have done to not only prep food but also store it.
ReplyDeleteThat's my sister...she is amazing and an amazing cook and baker. She is only telling you a part of her story of the Farmer's Market....along with her bread she also makes dips and salads.
ReplyDeleteGloria the not so energetic sister...lol
Anonymous Sister> you brat! Yes, there is more. Didn't think to blog about it! Bread has taken over my life.
ReplyDeletethere's definitely both art and science involved in making bread--it's a useful and rare talent!
ReplyDeleteOh your bread looks so lovely Sarah! I have missed the Farmer's Market 3 Saturdays in a row. Yesterday we went to Moose Jaw for the day. I bet with all that lovely bread baking, your house smells divine! Wonderful!
ReplyDeletexo Catherine
Love your new design, Sarah!
ReplyDeleteI used to make a lot of bread, but now that everyone's gone, not so often. I really should start again...I remember that heavenly smell while baking. And what could be better than hot bread and butter?
look so delicious .. thanks for sharing ..
ReplyDeleteI heard the Anadama story as she didn't make the bread, so her husband had to, muttering "Anna, damn her!" as he did so. Either way, it's a good story. I'm going to try it one of these days. School starts tomorrow, so I'll be more inclined to bake again.
ReplyDeleteI love the new look of your blog!
ReplyDeleteYour bread looks so delicious! 50 loaves!!!! wow, chapeau bas Madame, you're a great baker!
Re. Ghriba L'bahla, you might use any type of pan, and of course with the special mold, ghriba will have more cracks on top, but even with less cracks, it tastes really good.
Cheers
On the head - you hit it! Bread and making it is awesome. Once you get the hang of it, you can mix up a batch with eyes closed. Well done
ReplyDeleteYour blog is fantastic! Do you have any posts about Foodsaver machines? Check out my blog and let me know what you think...If you'd like I can send you some free samples if you want to try? Let me know :) Amanda
ReplyDeleteI can't believe you bake 50 loaves of bread. They look fantastic and all I can say is I wish I lived closer so I could buy some.
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