Tag Archives: bread

Cooking, Product Reviews

The Best Bread Cook Book Review and Meal Planning

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breadreview disclosureI love fresh bread,  but who doesn’t.  Even Gluten free people are on the constant search for bread options.  In past blog post I have talked about how much I love the The Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day by Jeff Hetzberg, MD and Zoe Francois.  Guess what!  They have a new book out  The New Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day.  This is my go to bread making book and in my opinion  the only bread making book you should own.

Hetzberg and Francois  teach you easy basics to make your bread successful.  Also it is so simple even a 4 year old could make it.. check You Tube there is 4 years making their recipes.   In the book the authors break artisan down, teaching you the simple mix it and forget it that makes some of the beast bread you will ever make.  The book starts with a basic yeast dough,  that is the “Master Dough” which is the basis for many of the breads.  Then later you learn about other doughs like:

  • ·Gluten-free Cheesy Breadsticks, Pizza, Baguette and Sweet Brioche
  •  Beer-Cheese and Crock-Pot Bread
  • Pretzel Buns
  •  Apple-Stuffed French Toast
  • Oatmeal Pumpkin Bread

I started making bread from the 1st book over the last year for my family and they now expects to have homemade bread with soups and stews.

I know sounds labor intense.. it is no not like the title says – 5 minutes.  I will set the dough up as I am running out the door in the morning and leave it.  Then upon returning after several hours shape(no kneading), give it a little more time and bake.    Also when you make the Master dough it is enough to make 3 loves.  The authors explain freezing the dough and how to make great use of the dough with a different varieties.   In this new book I learned how to make a Couronne Loaf-  Shown above for a different shape.   Later this week I will take the remaining dough making cheese loaf and pizza.

The New Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day  also contains gluten free recipes.   I am not gluten free but if the authors took the same care with the gluten free as they did with the gluten breads.  They are a must try.

The Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day  book is 379 pages of bread , complete with color page inserts of what the bread should look like.  Als0 Hetzberg and Francois  teach you how to know your idea oven temp and what to do with the wedding gift pizza stone, you have in you closet collecting dust. They explain types salt,  flour and the differences.. which I am always at a loss on what to use.

I have not used my bread machine since I discovered the  The New Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day,  it is meal changing experience.

For more info, please visit: www.artisanbreadinfive.com.

This book is a must have reference recipe book for any cook.  I know a few people who will be receiving it this holiday season. bread

Meal Planning Week Nov 4th:

Monday: Chicken and Rice Soup  with Fresh Bread  from The New Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day

Tuesday: Pierogi with kielbasa

Wednesday; Chicken Marsala over egg noodles

Thursday: Flat Bread Pizza  with pancetta (Italian bacon) and smoked Gouda

Friday: Taco Friday with rice and re-fried beans

This week as always I am linking up with Organizing Junkies Menu Planning Monday:

MPM-Fall

Cooking, Parenting

How to Make Bread in a Bag

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How to Make Bread in a Bag:  Every year for the last 4 years, I make bread for the church on fat Tuesday it is for the Ash Wednesdays meager meal with soup and bread.  Then on Ash Wednesday I go in and make the same bread with about 10 kids int he after school program. This Bread is made in a bag and is very easy to make.  It is a great set up ahead and have the kids make kind of project.  The recipe has been passed to me from a lovely women in my church MM Harris, she has spent many years teaching the children in our congregation.  She has been make this bread with the church for years. So this year MM and I will be making many loves at home and working with the kids to make the bread.

This is not a religious recipe, MM just loved it because it was fun to make with kids.  I cant recommend it enough to try making this bread with kids you know.  Super easy Bread.

How to Make Bread in a Bag

Bread in a Bag

  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1 package yeast
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • 3 tablespoons nonfat dry milk
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup hot water(125-130 degrees)
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 1 gallon freezer bag with a zipper lock
  1. Combine 1 cup all purpose flour, undissolved yeast, sugar, dry milk, and salt in a freezer bag.  Squeeze air out of bag. bread in a bag  
  2. Shake and work bag with fingers  to blend ingredients.
  3. Add hot water and oil to dry ingredients.  Reseal bag, and work again with fingers. bread to make with kids
  4. Add whole wheat flour.  Reseal bag and mix thoroughly. bread to make with kids
  5. Gradually add enough remaining all purpose flour to make a stiff dough that pulls away from the bag. 
  6. On a floured surface, knead dough 2-4 minutes  until smooth and elastic. kid friendly bread
  7. Cover dough, let rest 10 minutes.
  8.  Roll dough to 12×7″ rectangle. bread in a bag
  9. Roll up from narrow end. easy bread
  10. Pinch ends and edges to seal. 
  11. Place in greased loaf pan, cover.
  12. Place shallow pan on counter filled with boiling water. 
  13. Place a baking sheet on top, place covered loaf pan on top of baking sheet.
  14. Let rise 20 minutes or until double in size. easy bread
  15. Bake at 375 for 25 minutes or until done.easy breadTip: When making these loaves I made 1 in a bag and I did use my mixer w/ dough hook for the other 2 the results are the same. So If you are making alot of loaves of Bread you can also use a mixer with a dough hook, when kid power kneading is unavailable

I love to make this bread anytime of year it is a great hearty bread  easy to make and lovely with butter or I like it warm with Honey.

This is MM she is the lovely lady who gave me this recipe.

easy bread

For a Printable version of the Bread in a Bag

Check out my Pintrest Bread board for others ideas for bread.