Sunday, June 23, 2013

Bread: Then and Now

The weather hasn't paned out so well for me this weekend, being overcast more often than not...I supposed the flours enjoyed rain.  But, it has given me plenty of time to loaf around.  In fact, I tried something I've been kneading to do for a while....bake bread from scratch!

This is the first time I've ever made bread, so I decided to find a simple recipe...I didn't want anything in the kitchen to go a rye.  So I googled "easy bread recipe" and this is what I found:
'So easy a 4-year old can do it' - way to put the pressure on Ms. SteamyKitchen, I better not mess this one up.
Luckily, it was fairly easy...requiring only 4 main ingredients: flour, yeast, salt, and warm water.  All of which are inexpensive, even if you splurge for the good stuff (organic, whole wheat flour) and I guess you could also opt for expensive artisan water but most likely you'll be using tap water like me.  I have no idea who my target audience is (that's you), I'm assuming your down-to-earth, no frills type of people who like fresh bread, most likely you can read (I include pictures though, just in case I'm wrong).  All in all, it cost me about $4 to make a glorious, hearty loaf of bread.
My home-made loaf!
I added a some Rosemary from my garden for extra pizzaz and served it with olive oil and balsamic on the side.
Was taking the time to bake my own bread actually worth the effort?  I think it was.  Although it takes half a day to prepare properly, it has many benefits.  Making your own bread is cheaper, much more delicious, and healthier than settling for store-bought loaves.  Awareness of gluten allergies and Paleo/Caveman dieting is on the rise (last pun, I swear).  Reading the ingredients list on packages of store-bought bread makes it sound more like a floor-cleaning concoction than the basic ingredient in a sandwich.
Bread: Then and Now
My best advice is to read food labels so you know exactly what you're eating.  If you don't like (or understand) the ingredients listed, either avoid the food or learn how to make it yourself.  In the wise words of Michael Pollan, “Don't eat anything your great-grandmother wouldn't recognize as food.” 
 

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