Beuty in a Bread Pan

If you have been reading my previous posts, you might have picked up on my new love for doing it myself.  Whether it’s cleaning products or our food, I have been very into knowing where the things we have in our home, and in our bodies, come from.  Tonight I did something I have been wanting to do for a long time.  I made my very first loaf of bread.

I know that everyone bakes bread, this is not a huge accomplishment, but it is something I have never done on my own.   I grew up eating fresh baked bread regularly.  At one time my brother actually asked my mom if we could just by the white bread that came already sliced.  There is something about fresh baked bread that is unmatched by anything else.  I wanted my kids to know that feeling.  That, and I’m tired of buying expensive bread all the time.

I will admit that I have been too intimidated to try baking bread before.  Today I gave it a try.  It didn’t help that the recipe I chose put a heavy emphasis on being cautious of the amount of flour you use so as not to end up with a brick.  So I cautiously added flour, kneaded, punched, and let it rise.  As I put my two loaves in the oven I crossed my fingers and held my breath.  Twenty five minutes later I took two golden, beautiful, loaves of bread out of the oven. 

The moment of truth came as I sliced into the loaf and, what do you know, it wasn’t a brick!  In fact, it was a soft, hearty, and absolutely delicious slice of bread.  I was pretty proud of myself, and my family seemed to agree.  At least is seemed that way as they were shoving fresh bread in their mouths.  I created beauty in a bread pan tonight, and it was delicious.