Wednesday, February 20, 2008

EAT the BREAD FRED


There is nothing like warm bread from the oven. I have made this bread three times over the past month. I like it because it taste so good and even after a couple days it still tastes that good. It is wonderful toasted.

My husband and kids love bread so it is always a hit. No my husbands name is not Fred. Go to bed Fred is an expression my Aunt use to say a lot. Just a silly title. I dont know if other foodies out there are lucky enough to have a spouse/partner that is willing to try new recipes. I must say that my husband really enjoys the experience of eating and is always willing to try something new. He is smart too because he always compliments me on my meals.

Here is the recipe for the bread. It is from Taste of Home (I am pretty sure as it is a clipping).

Colonial Yeast Bread

1/2 cup cornmeal
1/2 cup brown sugar or 1/3 cup honey (I like the brown sugar version better.)
1 tablespoon salt
2 cups boiling water
1/2 cup vegetable oil (I use Canola)
2 pkgs of instant yeast
1/2 cup warm water
3/4 cup whole wheat
1/2 cup rye flour
4 1/2 to 5 1/2 cups all purpose flour

Combine cornmeal, salt, sugar or honey, oil and water in a bowl and let cool. In another bowl or a mixer combine flours and yeast. Just before adding the wet mixture to the dry mixture stir in the 1/2 cup warm water. (This is usually for proofing the yeast. With an electric mixer and dough hook I find that this is an unecessary step.) Mix or knead for approximately six minutes. Place in greased bowl and let rise for about an hour and a half. Deflate dough and place in 9 x 5 loaf pans and let rise for another hour and a half. Bake at 375 for 35 to 40 minutes.

Note: I find I can cut rising times by putting my bread in my homemade proofer. My homemade proofer is my microwave. Just before putting the dough into rise I heat a cup of water to boiling. I open the door, move the water to the back of the microwave and put my loaves inside. A nice, moist and warm environment for the yeast. My dough doubles in 45 minutes. If I make a pot of tea (which my stove is beneath my microwave) then all the better.

2 comments:

Shelly said...

Wow, the microwave as proofer...good idea! I'm a terrible baker, good thing - because I love homemade bread. One more thing to pack on the pounds...ohhh noooo. I've decided that should be one of the things I don't learn how to do.

Tami said...

My hubby's name is Fred and he's a foodie. :)
Love that.