Fougasse

After a ciabatta disaster over the weekend, I was determined to make a nice yeast bread.  I took a break from ciabatta, though, and decided to try fougasse.  I was really nervous since the giant, leafy pictures just look so incredible.  I was surprised how well it turned out and how easy it was!  Next time I think I'll add some spices for some extra flavor now that I've got the basic recipe under my belt.  Here are a couple of pictures...sorry, no pictures of the messed up ciabatta! 

I learned from Wikipedia that the leaf shapes are actually supposed to look like an "ear of wheat":

I can't really say mine is a perfect match, but you get the idea! 

The history of the bread (according to Wikipedia) says that fougasse was a provincial bread and there were different variations regionally in France.  Some versions included different savory ingredients (olives, anchovies) and were like pizza without sauce.  Eventually the recipe made its way over to Italy where fougasse evolved into focaccia.  Yum...focaccia may be the next bread recipe to try! 

Farmhouse White Bread

After attending one of the King Arthur Flour Traveling Baking Demos on Thursday, I was inspired to start baking with some yeast!  I made the Farmhouse White Bread from the Good Housekeeping Great Baking cookbook.  The recipe took a long time to make because of all the rising time, but it was really good.  I love making homemade bread!  The pictures are a little dark, but you get the idea.  

If you have a chance to go to the King Arthur Flour Traveling Baking Demos, definitely check it out!  It was really fun and we left with lots of fun goodies, tips, and recipes!  

Cinnamon & Yeast

My first attempt at cooking with active, dry yeast.   A loaf of cinnamon bread.  I can't believe it worked!  And it was so good!  The recipe said to tell if the loaf was done baking, to knock on the bottom of the pan...if there is a 'hollow sound' it should be done.  I had a hard time telling if what I was hearing was 'hollow'.  Especially since I had a hot loaf pan next to my face so I could listen closely...there must be a better way!