make bread from scratch

Today, I tried to make yeast-free bread! We didn’t have a bread pan so I had to use a smaller one and although our bread didn’t look good (rather pale and funny shaped) it tasted good enough to be devoured in less than hour and have Kevin and me go back for seconds. Next time, I’ll try to make them into bread-sticks since his favorite part was the crust and the light-golden bottom. But, I was so afraid beforehand since though dough was sticky instead of moist (definitely using less melted butter next time and brushing some on the top).

and without using a breadmaker either. Our grandparents most likely used to do it, so how hard can it be?

My husband got my a breadmaker a couple years ago, and I’ve made all sorts of breads and rolls in it, and started baking loaves in the oven as well [although sometimes I cheat and use the bread machine to mix the dough]. Nothing beats the taste or smell of fresh-baked bread.

but my loaf was the same shape, dimensions, consistency and weight as a house brick.

^{Not much use for sandwiches but if we ever wanted to build an extension…}

Well, it wasn’t totally from scratch. I did use instant yeast from the shop.

It’s become one of those ZEN experiences in my life. I can do it and focus on the process of it, or focus elsewhere, be it on nothing at all or whatever I’m writing/thinking/ranting about. Since it’s a bit messy to jot down those wonderful thoughts that kneading inspires, I’ve a voice-activated tape recorder …

And the smells of dough rising are so lovely.

It took a long time but I felt very proud when it came out yummy. I would do this again :)