| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Blessed in Colorado |
Posted - Feb 08 2011 : 11:04:42 AM
We are having a blizzard today here in Colorado as I am sure a lot of our farm girls are having as well across the US.
Well, I have a taste for homemade bread but can not make it myself as I have a brace on my hand due to Carpal Tunnel. (Surgery in March) My wonderful hubby is making and kneading the bread it for me, what a sweetie. He taught me to cook over 36 years ago so he is pretty handy in the kitchen and probably know more about cooking than I do. So tonight we will have warm homemade bread with our soup. Will let you know how the bread turns out.
Stay warm and toasty everyone, as I have my tea today I will think of all of our farm girls.
Warm Hugs,
Debbie |
| 23 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Violets November |
Posted - Mar 22 2011 : 12:39:42 PM
Oh my, I have never baked at 9000 feet!
You've tried all those tricks and tips that are out there?
~Violet~
Farmgirl Sister #1669
My blog, http://hiddenacre.blogspot.com/
Our Organic Jewelry, http://www.etsy.com/shop/GaelicForge |
| Blessed in Colorado |
Posted - Mar 21 2011 : 09:27:26 AM
Farm girl Sisters~
I have loved reading all the responses to my Making Bread Forum and this is what I have learned. For some reason I can not make my own homemade bread (:-() or double layer cakes at 9000 feet despite everything I have tried. Hubby tried to make a double layer cake for our sons birthday this month to show me it could be down. Well, I tried not to laugh farm girls but it looked worse than any cake I have made. It fell, it was too moist, it looked like just a glob of cake, well after a good laugh by all hubby admitted that I was right it could not be down. So, he got 2 cans of icing and put it back together the best he could. Our son loved it and I ate a bit just to show support, it did not taste very well either.
So, this is what we have learned, we will use my bread machine for the homemade bread and make sheet cakes from now on as they always turn out.
I may have to get Kathy in Pueblo to come and show me how:-)
Happy Spring girls and farm girl hugs,
Debbie
www.etsy.com/shop/CollectThisTreasures
If you are lucky enough to live in the mountains you are lucky enough.
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| plantcarazy |
Posted - Mar 21 2011 : 09:10:55 AM
Thanks Violet for responding, I appreciate your help. I think next time I start, I am going to order the flour from Mary Jane's just to make sure I am getting the product right for what I am intending to use it for.
Thanks again, and good luck restarting your starter sometime!
Jennifer
I often find myself wandering down country roads..................... |
| Violets November |
Posted - Mar 19 2011 : 12:44:12 PM
Jennifer, the separation is normal, don't worry about it. The watery top is called Hooch. It should have a smell similar to beer. Hooch forms as a result of the fermentation process. It should be dark colored, sort of brownish. If your starter is thick, just stir the Hooch back in. If your starter is liquidee, you can pour it off.
Remember to keep your starter in clean glass or ceramic. If you keep it on the counter top, you should feed it daily. Refrigerated, feed it about weekly.
Now, this talk of starter is making me want to make another starter! I kept mine going for about five years, then due to life, I ignored it. It was a counter top starter. I probably could have saved it................
Oh, and if you want your bread rise higher, you can also use yeast with your batch of bread, along with your starter. It will still have the wonderful sour taste!
I used well water and good quality organic flour.
~Violet~
Farmgirl Sister #1669
My blog, http://hiddenacre.blogspot.com/
Our Organic Jewelry, http://www.etsy.com/shop/GaelicForge |
| plantcarazy |
Posted - Mar 15 2011 : 2:32:57 PM
Help!!
I made the sourdough starter from MJF magazine 2009, and today was bread making day for me. When I made the bread though it came out only about 1 1/2 high! :-(
My sourdough starter did seem a little strange, instead of looking like a bubbling 'batter', it would seperate and have a watery top with batter underneath whenever I would do my daily add and stir. I thought maybe that was normal? It still was bubbly, it would just seperate like I explained. I used distilled water, and King Aurthur's flour, and I baked it in a cast iron pot.
Any advice? Sure would like this to work next time!
I often find myself wandering down country roads..................... |
| plantcarazy |
Posted - Mar 15 2011 : 10:32:43 AM
Hi Violet,
Yes, I am making the sourdough starter that Mary Jane wrote about in her Feb/March 2009 magazine issue. I'm baking my first batch today, so I am curious how it comes out!
I often find myself wandering down country roads..................... |
| ceejay48 |
Posted - Mar 15 2011 : 06:08:45 AM
Honey, whole wheat, oatmeal bread! Ahhhhhhh! I LOVE it fresh out of the oven, slice off the end and add a sweet thin layer of honey!
Nobody, nobody gets the ends! They are MINE!
CJ
..from the barefoot farmgirl in SW Colorado...sister chick #665
From my Heart - www.fromacelticheart.blogspot.com
From my Hands - www.cjscreations-ceejay.blogspot.com
From my Hubby - www.aspenforge.blogspot.com |
| embchicken |
Posted - Mar 14 2011 : 1:32:48 PM
Oooh all this talk of bread - cinnamon raisin bread sounds yummy!
"Be the change you wish to see in the world" ~Gandhi |
| Violets November |
Posted - Mar 14 2011 : 1:13:19 PM
When my six kids were growing, I made 12 loaves of bread every week! In addition to this, there were the usual muffins, rolls, biscuits, coffee cakes, raisin breads, etc.
This was all done by hand. I didn't get a bread machine until much, much later.
I still love making bread by hand, but I like the convenience of a bread machine also!
Plant Lady, are you making a sour dough starter?
~Violet~
Farmgirl Sister #1669
My blog, http://hiddenacre.blogspot.com/
Our Organic Jewelry, http://www.etsy.com/shop/GaelicForge |
| plantcarazy |
Posted - Mar 10 2011 : 07:49:43 AM
I started my first bread 'mother' yesterday and I am so excited to see if all goes well! I already saw a few bubbles when I went to add more flour and water this morning!
I often find myself wandering down country roads..................... |
| woolgirl |
Posted - Mar 09 2011 : 4:10:18 PM
I just got a bread machine. I tossed all the ingredients in last night, and set the delay timer. When I woke up this morning, the house smelled like cinnamon raisin bread. I think my husband even mumbled something about it in his sleep! What a nice treat to wake up to!
Farmgirl #1947 |
| Violets November |
Posted - Mar 09 2011 : 1:59:12 PM
When you're in a time crunch, you can make good bread with a bread machine.
You can also set it to the dough cycle and finish the baking in your oven. Just let the machine do the kneading.
~Violet~
Farmgirl Sister #1669
My blog, http://hiddenacre.blogspot.com/
Our Organic Jewelry, http://www.etsy.com/shop/GaelicForge |
| lisalisa |
Posted - Feb 10 2011 : 5:38:08 PM
My kids used to love kneading the dough and punching it down! I guess it was a great game for them! "Helping mom" was actually fun and I let them punch something!
--Have fun with your grandson! ---L |
| Diane B Carter |
Posted - Feb 10 2011 : 3:40:23 PM
I wanted to make bread today just didn't have time. Tomorrow my grandson is comming over so I just may have him help. He's 4 so I'll let him do the flour. |
| lisalisa |
Posted - Feb 10 2011 : 09:58:32 AM
I love fresh bread!! Just have some home-made soup on the stove, and that delicious aroma...
And I'm glad you mentioned one of the best things - butter!!
We have clear skies today, but it's windy and ccccold! I know what to make for lunch now!
Thanks for the yummy thoughts - Stay well, Debbie! :-) |
| CurlysQuilts |
Posted - Feb 10 2011 : 07:38:44 AM
A great bread option is Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day. It doesn't require kneeding, and you get those great french bread and baguettes. I use their recipes all the time, and least every other week I have a batch of dough in my fridge. You can check them out online too. http://www.artisanbreadinfive.com/
Curly's Quilts
www.curlysquilts.etsy.com
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” - Micah 6:8
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| SweetTsEarthlyDelights |
Posted - Feb 09 2011 : 6:15:13 PM
Yummy Girls you got me wanting some fresh home made bread. Looks like a plan :)
www.FineArtByT.com
http://tinasartisticramblings.blogspot.com/ |
| Alee |
Posted - Feb 09 2011 : 11:25:16 AM
Oh yum! You are making me so hungry for hot, homemade bread! I might have to make some tonight!!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
| buffypuff |
Posted - Feb 09 2011 : 08:58:51 AM
I like to make home made bread during the months when it isn't too hot. We do not have A/C. I found a great recipe that I am able to put most of the dry ingredients in containers & store where cool. I just grab a container and can then cream the water/milk/butter(margarine or oil) and yeast with a little bit of sugar. Then I add the contents of the dry container, & mix well. ( I have a KitchenAide). When well mixed I add the remaining (+ or -)2 cups of flour...whole wheat, white with some oats, Fiber One etc. It is cheaper, it is tastier, it does not have those 13 letter additives, and it makes me feel wonderful that I can provide a tangible thing for my husband & me. Blessings.
Buffypuff/ Claudia ~ Farmgirl & Sister #870 ~
"It compliments God to ask great things of Him." ~ St. Theresa of Avila
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| Dirtduchess |
Posted - Feb 09 2011 : 08:22:00 AM
We are in our 3 or 4th blizzard for this winter. Most of winters are usually mild.Our temperature now is 12. We have had snow, sleet and rain. Ice covered roads have closed schools and many business. I have cooked, chili, stews, and gumbo for about a month. Now I think I will make bread. I love to knead the dough.
And the night shall be filled with music
And the cares that infest the day
Shall fold their tents like the Arabs
And as silently steal away. Longfellow |
| Blessed in Colorado |
Posted - Feb 08 2011 : 3:24:06 PM
The bread is finished and it is delicious hubby did a great job. There is nothing like a piece of hot bread right out of the oven with lots of butter. Yum.
Hugs,
Debbie |
| palmettogirl |
Posted - Feb 08 2011 : 3:18:46 PM
both homes sound real cozy to me!! thanks for inspiring me to bake some bread as well, here in south carolina..........however, no snow here----50-some degrees today! Enjoy ladies!! |
| Cindy Lou |
Posted - Feb 08 2011 : 11:20:09 AM
Hi Debbie,
Baking bread is a great idea on a cold day. I can smell it from here! Cooking together can be a lot of fun.
We were at 9 below zero this morning but not too much wind and no new snow in the last few days. I'm warming up the house with a batch of soup and a cake in the oven.
Sorry about the carpal tunnel but other than that is sounds like you are truely "Blessed in Colorado".
Susan
"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"
Mary Oliver |
