There are three ways to answer this question: Why are we here? (What are you two up to?) For the past few years we have been watching our budget closely, paying off our debt, and saving as much as we can. This has given us the freedom to pursue a dream. What dream, you ask? A random one! While we do not have a definite goal or specific plan, we have developed some guiding principles: Let life rule instead of work. Explore the country and the world. Trade "stuff" for genuine experiences. Create rather than consume. Develop a spirit of volunteerism. Take odd jobs in unfamiliar disciplines to see if there is something we love, but don't yet know we love. Live in the moment. Work for ourselves as much as possible. Dance outside our comfort zones in order to grow. Find a way to stretch the money we have saved for as long as possible. Identify properties of cities that we like should we choose to "settle down" again. ("You kids back there bet...
Seriously Ellen. those are some of the most beautiful baguettes I've ever seen! Rich's never turn out like that....
ReplyDeleteThanks!! There were two things (IMO) that made me successful:
ReplyDelete1. I used 100% white flour. On the Artisan Bread site, they definitely do mixtures of white and wheat but I wanted to give myself the best chance of success so I went with the easy to use flour.
2. I used a Poolish (at the direction of the recipe) which, I learned, is basically just a pre-mix and pre-rise (preferment) of a portion of the ingredients that is added to the rest of the ingredients when you start. It made me feel like my rise had a head start. It also made me feel fancy and French.
You two should try the recipe out. It took a lot of time from start to finish (maybe five or six hours, not counting the Poolish prep) but most of that was a series of 45 minute rest periods. Other than that, it was super easy.
I use to love baking fresh bread. That was before Andrea and McKenna went gluten free. Maybe they just didn't like my bread.
ReplyDeleteYours looks amazing. Go get that bottle of wine and enjoy it!
@Jay - Rich actually told me all about your bread making - you're legendary! The bread and the wine have been devoured...time to make some more!
ReplyDeleteI also attribute the nice crusty shell to the "humidifier" that Ellen added to the oven while baking.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.artisanbreadbaking.com/breads/f_b/french21.htm