Cinnamon Rolls

Today I made Cinnamon Rolls! While I was letting them proof this afternoon, I listened to a TED talk a friend sent me by the author of the bread book himself, Peter Reinhart. I really enjoy what he has to say about bread, it seems kind of silly but at one point I actually got a little teary listening to him. It made me realize how special baking bread is and how primeval it can be. Here I am doing the same thing that thousands of Bates' have done before me; it is a very comforting thought.
Baking bread is so fulfilling, so methodical, and so rejuvenating. Turning raw ingredients into something people see or smell and say, "Are those for me?" is just an experience quite unlike anything else. Anyhow here are the pictures, I am getting a bit nervous about the next recipes as they deal with more complex pre-ferments such as bigas and poolishs :/ gahhh!

Rosemary Bread

Although this isn't in the bread book, I am sure Peter Reinheart wouldn't mind me posting it! I tweaked the recipe just a little bit, decreasing the yeast and doing a cold ferment for three hours in the fridge, I also did half wheat half white which was just a little too dense so i think i will adjust that next time.

Bread Bread Bread

I got a bread book for christmas and am planning to bake my way through it. It is a pretty intense book but the recipes I have tried out so far have been a success. Baking has become a new found love for me, it started during student teaching as a way to cope with stress and now it is a hobby that I love! Here is the book I am cooking from:



Here is my first loaf of half white half wheat bread:




and finally the corn bread I made this afternoon! Look at that yummy crispy bacon on top!



I might start posting my other cooking exploits....we will see how it goes