Homemade Bread

Bread is without a doubt one of my favorite things to bake. Alot of people tend to shy away from making their own because they think it is hard- but it's really not and it is SO much better tasting as well as better for you. Its a very relaxing process for me. The mixing ingredients together, kneading the dough, the aroma of freshly baking bread. Mmmmm I'm practically drooling just thinking about it! It is a little on the time consuming side- so make sure you have a couple hours free before you start! But you will have some time to get other stuff done while the dough is rising. The yeast does all that work for you! AAAAAAND you don't have to hear it bitch! Hell yeeeeeah!

I will be posting other types of bread soon- but for starters, here is one for you.

                                    Buttermilk Bread

• 1 1/2 cups of buttermilk (or you can sour your own milk by adding 1 Tbsp of white vinegar to a cup of milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes)
• 1/2 cup of warm water (temp IS VERY important here. water should feel very warm but NOT hot)
• 1/2 cup of butter at room temp.
• 1/4 cup of white sugar OR 1/2 cup of honey
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 2 packages of Yeast (or 4 1/2 tsp if you buy in a jar)
• 2 tsp salt
• 5 1/2 cups flour

1. Place buttermilk in a pan with the butter and heat JUST til butter melts. Cool to lukewarm.
2. Proof the yeast. (drop your yeast into the warm water and let sit for 5-7 minutes. It will get foamy. if it does not get foamy, your water may be too hot or too cold OR your yeast may be no good. also- i usually add a pinch of sugar or honey to the water to "feed" the yeast- but its not necessary)
3. Place sugar (or honey), salt, baking soda and buttermilk mixture in a large bowl. Add your flour and mix well.
4. Turn dough out onto floured surface and knead for 10 minutes. (hey- i'm giving you fresh baked bread AND a workout, here!)
5. Set dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a towel and let sit somewhere warm and draft free for about an hour or until doubled in bulk.
6. Go get those dishes done. No seriously- you have an hour to waste here. Be productive! :)
7. Gently punch dough down and divide into two loaves. you can shape into free loaves on a cookie sheet or put dough into two loaf pans.
8. Let rise again for 20-30 minutes.
9. Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes. watch closely toward the end to avoid burning. Bread is done when you thump the bottom and it makes a hollow sound. (.....I know, right?) If the outside browned too much and is a bit hard- dont worry about it. wrap your bread tightly in foil for 30 minutes to an hour and when you unwrap it- it will be ALOT softer. :) See? No worries- I'll take care of ya!