Making Bread

Have many of you really ever made bread? And I do not mean in your bread machine.

I just started in again today, although this first new batch may flop. But in every step along the way, there is some immense satisfaction...

Satisfaction in making the "sponge" of warm water, yeast and some honey or molasses... and watching it bubble as the yeast feasts on the honey over about 30-40 minuted depending on kitchen temperature... Even now, the smell of the yeast is wonderful, like my grandma's kitchen...

Satisfaction in then adding half the flour (in my case, stone ground whole wheat) and watching it rise to double over the next hour under a towel. This lets the yeast get started without the salt (which holds it back) and starts to form gluten...

Satisfaction when you fold in the remaining flour, salt and a little olive oil (or any oil/butter the recipe calls for) and some salt.

Satisfaction in letting it rise another hour, doubling again. After this hour, taking off the kitchen towel and punching it down several times with your fist. My, HOW satisfying!

Satisfaction in putting the dough out on the counter with plenty of flour close by. Kneading the dough 100 times, adding flour as necessary to keep it from sticking to the counter...

Satisfaction in shaping into loaves (as many as the recipe calls for). Placing into pans and letting it rise one last time, about 15-20 minutes. Slitting the tops and baking as directed.

Yes, you will have a lot of time and some energy invested in this bread, but you will have gained some deep satisfaction of something almost atavistic and a great sense of self-satisfaction. Plus, your kitchen will smell like a slice of Heaven.

THEN, when the bread is finally baked, the responses from any family that happen to be home for fresh hot bread from the oven will overwhelm you... same for any friends that have followed their noses to the smell of fresh baking bread coming from your house... and Family may choose to be home the next time you bake bread.

(Next time I bake bread, I will take photos of each step.)