The title of this post and the halcyon appearance of my last post might lead you to believe that I do nothing but enjoy a life of leisure since I made the transition to home. Not so. I’ve been working my butt off! (Figuratively speaking, of course… although climbing up and down hills does have its merits.)
Part of my “back to the basics” kick has been to create a space conducive to writing – inside and out — household and self included.
This has meant perspiring in the 90°+ mid-day heat as needed, pushing my proverbial boundaries, and hacking away at a four-page “to do” list until it’s no longer dangling over my head. (My brain is funny that way.) Some folks call it all-or-nothing syndrome; I prefer to call it “no more excuses.”
Between this influx of activity, I worked up a powerful hunger. (A girl’s gotta eat, ya know…)
Food-wise (in my opinion), there’s nothing more basic than bread. With a history spanning thousands of years and variations ranging from flat to fluffy, bread has graced many a table and sustained multitudes of generations. Who can resist its universal appeal? (Even Maria von Trapp extolled its virtues: do re mi fa so la TI….. with jam and bread.) ;)
Soft, warm, crunchy… homemade bread presents pillowy pockets of opportunity, waiting to soak up a smear of butter, a spoonful of jam, a drizzle of honey, a dab of peanut butter, or — my perennial favorite — gravy. (You haven’t lived until you’ve “sopped gravy,” as many a Southerner can attest.)
But, it was too hot too think about gravy, so here we are again… “back at the very beginning.”
The best “basic” bread I’ve eaten in recent history was inspired by Alice D’Antoni Phillips of Ally’s Kitchen. Profuse thanks, Ally! It truly fulfilled my basic requirements. (And made wonderful croutons!)
Basic Baguette
(adapted from Rustic Boho Buttermilk Bread, linked above)
3 to 3-1/2 c. all-purpose flour, divided
1 tsp. sea salt
1 (1/4 oz.) pkg. active dry yeast
2 1/2 Tbsp. warm water (110° F)
1/2 tsp. sugar (I added some to speed things along)
1 c. buttermilk, at room temperature (or a scant cup of milk “soured” with 1 T. lemon juice)
1 1/2 Tbsp. olive oil, plus extra for the “rising” bowl and baking sheet
First, whisk together 2-1/2 cups of flour and the salt; set aside.
Next, lightly oil a large bowl; set aside.
In another large bowl, combine yeast and water (and sugar, if using); stir to break up any lumps.
When mixture is foamy (about 5 – 10 minutes), stir in buttermilk (or sour milk) and olive oil until combined.
Add 1 cup of the flour/salt mixture; mix well. (I used a sturdy wooden spoon.)
Add the next cup of flour/salt mixture; mix well. (Ditto.)
Add enough of the remaining flour/salt mixture to form a soft, slightly sticky dough. (I used my hands at this point.)
Sprinkle remaining “plain” flour on a flat surface. (Note to self: sprinkle first, then get hands sticky.)
Turn dough onto floured surface; knead 5 to 10 minutes. (Note to you: only knead in enough flour to keep it from sticking!)
Place dough in previously oiled bowl; turn “bottom side up” so the oiled surface is topside.
Cover with a clean kitchen towel; let rise in a warm place until double. (Approximate rising time is 1-1/2 to 2 hours, depending on how “active” your yeast is.)
Punch down dough; let rest 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, preheat oven to 450° F and lightly oil the middle of a large baking sheet. (No need to oil the whole sheet.)
Turn dough onto floured surface again; knead 3 to 5 minutes, then shape into one long baguette. (I rolled it like a Playdough “rope” — FUN!) (By the way, the original recipe makes two loaves… much as I love bread, I can only eat so much.)
Place baguette on oiled baking sheet.
With a sharp knife, make diagonal slashes in the top, 3″ apart.
Bake 15 minutes at 450° F. Reduce heat to 350° F; bake 10 to 15 minutes longer, or until loaf is golden brown and sounds hollow when you “thump” on it. (The original recipe called for 20 to 25 minutes of additional baking time, but a single loaf only required 10 to 15 minutes.)
Cool slightly.
Break out the butter and jam.
Enjoying the basic-ness of bread – and writing,
~ Kim
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Glad to hear that u’ve kept yourself busy, dear! No gravy? No problem! Just give me lots of butter & I’ll be happy with this delicious loaf :)
By: Shirley Tay on June 13, 2012
at 11:30 pm
Shirley, the first thing I thought of when I read your comment was: “Bread and butter lovers of the world unite!” :)
By: Kimby on June 14, 2012
at 2:01 pm
Reblogged this on Land Of Reblogs and commented:
Ha ha!
By: starscraper99 on June 14, 2012
at 12:36 am
Thanks for seeing the humor in this, George — and for the reblog!
By: Kimby on June 14, 2012
at 2:02 pm
That last picture has me begging someone to burn down my school so I can ‘loaf’ like you – we all need it in my defence ;)
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
By: Choc Chip Uru on June 14, 2012
at 3:49 am
No drastic measures needed, Choc Chip Uru! This one’s “easy to make, easy to bake.” (And eat!) Hope you get a little leisure in between your busy schedule soon.
By: Kimby on June 14, 2012
at 2:04 pm
Kimby! I would so have loved loved to have been w/you when you pulled that beautiful simple, albeit rich and tasty and tender and crusty, bread out of the oven…we would have devoured it by simply pulling it apart, slathering on butter, jam, or whatever, sipping wine, having some fresh shaved parmesan or asiago…oooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, a veritable feast with a dear treasured friend! xoxo Ally
By: Ally's Kitchen on June 14, 2012
at 5:32 am
Ally, thanks for the inspiration for this bread! It’s a keeper (and so are you!) ;) Asiago would be a wonderful “topper” (or side dish, ha!) and yes, feasts with friends are one of life’s treasures.
By: Kimby on June 14, 2012
at 2:17 pm
Bread is one of my favorite comfort foods. When I smell it baking, I think of home, of my Aunt Marian (a fabulous cook!), ballet class (the dance company school I went to was next to a baker) and France. All things I love. Now I’m hungry. :)
By: Shary Hover on June 14, 2012
at 7:37 am
Shary, I love the memories you have associated with bread! Seems like a lot of mine are wrapped in yeast dough, too — kolaches, cinnamon rolls, “Grandma rolls” (those yummy ones served with Sunday dinners) — the list goes on! Thanks for reminiscing…
By: Kimby on June 14, 2012
at 3:39 pm
There is nothing in this world better than warm bread, good butter and better jam. :)
By: Maureen (@OrgasmicChef) on June 14, 2012
at 8:49 am
Maureen, I couldn’t agree with you more! :)
By: Kimby on June 14, 2012
at 3:40 pm
You’ve convinced me. I must bake a baguette this weekend. A friend just gave me some homemade strawberry jam, and obviously that requires a fresh loaf of bread to go with it.
By: Jenna on June 14, 2012
at 9:05 am
Absolutely, Jenna! Re: homemade jam, see Maureen’s comment above! You’re in good company. Enjoy your baking … and bread!
By: Kimby on June 14, 2012
at 3:41 pm
I can virtually smell the fresh bread and feel the melted butter running down my arm as I take a bite!
By: Marla on June 15, 2012
at 8:40 am
Marla, you’re making me want to bake another loaf right NOW! :)
By: Kimby on June 15, 2012
at 7:03 pm
Ohmigosh! That’s restaurant perfect! Just begging to sop up some olive oil and balsamic vinegar. My tummy rumbles its approval!
By: Parsley Sage on June 16, 2012
at 12:24 pm
Thanks for the tummy rumble, Parsley Sage! :)
By: Kimby on June 18, 2012
at 5:38 am
Your baguette looks perfect…I can even smell the bread from here! I am sure you are a fabulous baker!!
http://cosmopolitancurrymania.blogspot.hk/
By: purabinaha on June 17, 2012
at 9:02 am
Purabi, the aroma of bread baking is tantalizing indeed… glad you could smell it! :) Thanks for stopping by!
By: Kimby on June 18, 2012
at 5:42 am
Dear Kimby,
Nothing wrong “loafing” around when it looks this fresh! Yes, I would pile on the butter too to do some justice to this bread :)
By: ChopinandMysaucepan on June 27, 2012
at 7:29 am
[...] there’s nothin’ more basic, to me at least, than bread and jam. [...]
By: Back To The Basics II « a little lunch on December 27, 2012
at 4:47 pm