Baking ~ Foodies Wanted

[JustJo]

I've always loved to bake and have been baking from scratch since I was about 10. In fact, the only things I use mixes for are corn bread (Jiffy) and sometimes pumpkin bread (Pillsbury) when I'm feeling lazy.

I had to chuckle when I read your OP because I'm literally baking bread right now....it's on its first rising, and soon I'll punch it down, divide it in two, put one back to rise as a plain loaf and knead shredded cheese and herbs into the other one.

I've also got 3 over-ripe bananas in the fruit basket that will be becoming banana cake later on today...my son's favorite.

The idea of opening a bakery has been a long-term fantasy for me...and one I may actually carry through on eventually. It's long hours in the middle of the night for the baker....so probably not until my son is grown....but it sounds pretty darn good to me.

Besides, my chocolate chip cookies are already quasi-famous!

[kittygrrl]

i love dessert but a good bread can do amazing things for my mood..i don't indulge much but when i do i love to do homemade pitas..and coconut cake i absolutely adore...

[Leigh]

LOL Jo, I bet that anything you bake is fabulous

I've baked a couple things based on recipes, but I'm hoping to do more in the future. I want to get into more than just the occasional cake or whatnot, I'm hoping to venture into pies and cupcakes and more ~ I'll probably even take pics and tell of my baking adventures as time goes on and this thread starts hopping more. I think it'll be fun for all of us who love baking to share things in here while having fun - I look forward to it :-)

[Novelafemme]

Originally Posted by JustJo

I've always loved to bake and have been baking from scratch since I was about 10. In fact, the only things I use mixes for are corn bread (Jiffy) and sometimes pumpkin bread (Pillsbury) when I'm feeling lazy.

I had to chuckle when I read your OP because I'm literally baking bread right now....it's on its first rising, and soon I'll punch it down, divide it in two, put one back to rise as a plain loaf and knead shredded cheese and herbs into the other one.

I've also got 3 over-ripe bananas in the fruit basket that will be becoming banana cake later on today...my son's favorite.

The idea of opening a bakery has been a long-term fantasy for me...and one I may actually carry through on eventually. It's long hours in the middle of the night for the baker....so probably not until my son is grown....but it sounds pretty darn good to me.

Besides, my chocolate chip cookies are already quasi-famous!

Jo, can you share your recipe for homemade bread with us *me I have struggled with learning the whole process and other than using a bread machine, have never been successful. Thanks in advance!!!

Like Jo, I have been in love with baking since I was a little girl. Since it's so hot in Tucson I tend to get the urge once fall sets in, but I still love to make various breads during the warmer months. I have a secret cinnamon swirl banana bread recipe from my maternal grandmother that I adore <3

[Leigh]

Originally Posted by Novelafemme

Jo, can you share your recipe for homemade bread with us *me I have struggled with learning the whole process and other than using a bread machine, have never been successful. Thanks in advance!!!

Like Jo, I have been in love with baking since I was a little girl. Since it's so hot in Tucson I tend to get the urge once fall sets in, but I still love to make various breads during the warmer months. I have a secret cinnamon swirl banana bread recipe from my maternal grandmother that I adore <3

I never really got much of a chance to bake, or even cook, when I was younger so I'm just starting now so to speak. I really want to learn more hence why I'm thinking about taking a baking course ~ why not go into something that yes will be alot of hard work but will be fun at the same time? I'm leaning towards that for sure

[JustJo]

I actually have a "basic bread" recipe that I simply vary any which way. I've never used a bread machine, so I'm not sure how much you know....but here goes.

Jo's Basic Bread

In a large bowl (preferably something like pottery that will hold the warmth, but plastic works...just not metal)....

Pour 1 cup cold water and 1 cup boiling water (the cheater's method for getting the warmth that the yeast likes).
Stir in a couple spoons full of sugar or honey (to give the yeast something to eat).
Sprinkle 1 envelope of dry yeast on top...and leave it alone for a few minutes. You'll start to see the yeast bubble and foam up onto the surface of the water. This means you've got live yeast...a must for bread.

After it's bubbled and foamed a little, pour in 1 cup of flour....preferably white to start with....and stir for a minute or two. This develops the gluten and lets the yeast grow without overwhelming it.

Gradually add and stir in 4 more cups of flour (white, wheat or my favorite "white whole wheat" from King Arthur that has the nutrition of whole wheat but the consistency of white), 2 tablespoons of butter or shortening (a must to keep the bread fresh) and 1 tablespoon of salt (which is a must...bread without salt tastes terrible). Don't put the salt in first....salt stops the action of the yeast if it gets too sudden of a hit.

At this point you can also stir in a variety of other things....but keep in mind that this recipe makes two loaves. They'll be another chance later to customize a single loaf. If you want both loaves the same you could stir in raisins and cinnamon, or shredded cheese and herbs....maybe 1/2 cup of dry milk solids if you want a little more protein in your bread.

Don't stir too long....just enough to get most of it mixed in.

Turn the dough out onto a floured counter top (I pour another cup of flour onto the counter), flour your hands and start kneading. The best way I can describe kneading is to squish with the heels of your hands, fold the dough over, squish again, fold, squish....and keep going. You're basically mixing the dough and adding air...which you want.

I let the dough pick up as much flour from that last cup as it wants to. You don't want it sticky, but you don't want to knead it forever and force it to pick up all the flour or your bread will be tough.

Knead for a few minutes, then let it rest while you wash, rinse and dry your bowl. You'll be using it again in just a moment. In your clean dry bowl, pour a little olive or vegetable oil and rub it all around to oil the bowl...fingers work, or a folded paper towel.

Drop the dough in the bowl, turn it over so the oiled side is up, cover the bowl with a clean dishtowel and put it in a warm place without cold drafts.

Once it's doubled in size (which can take an hour or three depending on the temperature of the room, the yeast, and sometimes the alignment of the moon ), you'll punch the dough back down, turn it out onto that floured counter again, and knead it for a few more minutes.

Divide the dough in two.

Here's where you can customize a single loaf if you want...by kneading in any additions. I traditionally make one plain loaf and one with shredded cheese and mixed herbs kneaded in just because it's what we like best.

Shape the dough into two loaves (the shape need not be perfect) and put into bread pans that you've either oiled or sprayed with Pam. Cover with that dish towel again and wait.

In 45 minutes or so, your loaves will be almost doubled in size.

Turn the oven on to 350, and once it's fully preheated, pop in those loaves. Bake for 35 or 40 minutes, depending on your oven.

The loaves will be lightly browned and, if you turn the loaf out of the pan, will sound a little hollow when you tap on the bottom with open fingers.

Let them cool (if you can resist)....and enjoy!

[Christy51274]

Thanks Leigh for posting. I've been baking now for a few years now, sometimes a la box and other times, from scratch. I feel that there are only a few recipes that I'm truly good at and they'll probably always remain my staple baked goods.

Cupcake shops are so en vogue right now! The ones that are around are very well known even outside of the city! Accounting may sound like more of a secure bet, but follow your heart. If you do what you love, then you'll shine!

I've yet to find a recipe for Tres Leches that wows me. If anyone has any to share, it would be greatly appreciated.

I live close to Baltimore, and have heard of this place in D.C. Must be pretty amazing to have folks all the way up here talking about it. Here's the link:

http://www.georgetowncupcake.com/

Christy

[WolfyOne]

I grew up with relatives that owned 2 bakeries. As a kid, i really liked spending time there. I can tell you one of my uncles had 3 heart attacks or maybe strokes, I can't remember. I do know my mom said it came from the long hours and heat he'd be in, in the bakery while he baked. That was long ago and and thank goodness for air conditioning nowadays. when they were ready to retire, there wasn't a family member anywhere that wanted to take on the business, so they sold to outsiders. In order to take on a bakery, you don't really need culinary school. You really have to have a flare for baking and want to do it all the time. Most everything my uncle baked were from recipes handed down from family or trial and error until he got a recipe the way he wanted it.

As for me, I always looked forward to making bagels and challah with my mom once a month. her recipe was not one that you could use unless you had the juice glass she used to measure her oil. back then there was cake yeast and converting it to what is used today would not be easy. Smelling the dough as I waited for it to rise for the first time was even harder than smelling the bread as it baked. Making the bagels was also a really fun process for me as a kid. Mom used a boiling the bagel method before putting them in the oven to bake. She said it made them lighter and not rock hard out of the oven. Something she learned from my uncle at the bakery.

Good luck and happy baking Leigh

[MrSunshine]

Mmmm fresh bread. Has anyone ever made or had fresh pizza bread?
I used to split a loaf with my high school bestie from this little shop that had magically appeared one day. It's pretty simple, just homemade fresh bread stuffed with pizza ingredients. I taught myself how to make it a few years back. I blew the kitchen up a few times but it was so worth it!

[Miss Scarlett]

i love to bake...it's something my grandmother and i did every time she came to visit. The majority of my baking is from scratch but there are times when i will use a mix - though mainly as an ingredient.

A few years ago i thought about starting up a specialty cake business. But after talking with a client about her take & bake meals business (sold at farmers markets and via email orders) i changed my mind. She told me that she had to have an inspected commercial kitchen and since she did not have one of her own she rented the kitchen from a local church. It would take up more of my time than it was worth to continuously haul supplies, etc back & forth.

i've heard of some ladies in my area who will do custom cakes (from their homes) via word-of-mouth but my work schedule will not allow me enough flexability.

But for anyone who is able i say go for it!

[Novelafemme]

Originally Posted by JustJo

I actually have a "basic bread" recipe that I simply vary any which way. I've never used a bread machine, so I'm not sure how much you know....but here goes.

Jo's Basic Bread

In a large bowl (preferably something like pottery that will hold the warmth, but plastic works...just not metal)....

Pour 1 cup cold water and 1 cup boiling water (the cheater's method for getting the warmth that the yeast likes).
Stir in a couple spoons full of sugar or honey (to give the yeast something to eat).
Sprinkle 1 envelope of dry yeast on top...and leave it alone for a few minutes. You'll start to see the yeast bubble and foam up onto the surface of the water. This means you've got live yeast...a must for bread.

After it's bubbled and foamed a little, pour in 1 cup of flour....preferably white to start with....and stir for a minute or two. This develops the gluten and lets the yeast grow without overwhelming it.

Gradually add and stir in 4 more cups of flour (white, wheat or my favorite "white whole wheat" from King Arthur that has the nutrition of whole wheat but the consistency of white), 2 tablespoons of butter or shortening (a must to keep the bread fresh) and 1 tablespoon of salt (which is a must...bread without salt tastes terrible). Don't put the salt in first....salt stops the action of the yeast if it gets too sudden of a hit.

At this point you can also stir in a variety of other things....but keep in mind that this recipe makes two loaves. They'll be another chance later to customize a single loaf. If you want both loaves the same you could stir in raisins and cinnamon, or shredded cheese and herbs....maybe 1/2 cup of dry milk solids if you want a little more protein in your bread.

Don't stir too long....just enough to get most of it mixed in.

Turn the dough out onto a floured counter top (I pour another cup of flour onto the counter), flour your hands and start kneading. The best way I can describe kneading is to squish with the heels of your hands, fold the dough over, squish again, fold, squish....and keep going. You're basically mixing the dough and adding air...which you want.

I let the dough pick up as much flour from that last cup as it wants to. You don't want it sticky, but you don't want to knead it forever and force it to pick up all the flour or your bread will be tough.

Knead for a few minutes, then let it rest while you wash, rinse and dry your bowl. You'll be using it again in just a moment. In your clean dry bowl, pour a little olive or vegetable oil and rub it all around to oil the bowl...fingers work, or a folded paper towel.

Drop the dough in the bowl, turn it over so the oiled side is up, cover the bowl with a clean dishtowel and put it in a warm place without cold drafts.

Once it's doubled in size (which can take an hour or three depending on the temperature of the room, the yeast, and sometimes the alignment of the moon ), you'll punch the dough back down, turn it out onto that floured counter again, and knead it for a few more minutes.

Divide the dough in two.

Here's where you can customize a single loaf if you want...by kneading in any additions. I traditionally make one plain loaf and one with shredded cheese and mixed herbs kneaded in just because it's what we like best.

Shape the dough into two loaves (the shape need not be perfect) and put into bread pans that you've either oiled or sprayed with Pam. Cover with that dish towel again and wait.

In 45 minutes or so, your loaves will be almost doubled in size.

Turn the oven on to 350, and once it's fully preheated, pop in those loaves. Bake for 35 or 40 minutes, depending on your oven.

The loaves will be lightly browned and, if you turn the loaf out of the pan, will sound a little hollow when you tap on the bottom with open fingers.

Let them cool (if you can resist)....and enjoy!

YAY!! this is the best recipe i've read to date!

as far as the warm spot goes...is it too warm to turn your oven on warm and let the dough rise in there? or should i pick a sunny spot and let it rise?

[yotlyolqualli]

Originally Posted by JustJo

I actually have a "basic bread" recipe that I simply vary any which way. I've never used a bread machine, so I'm not sure how much you know....but here goes.

Jo's Basic Bread

In a large bowl (preferably something like pottery that will hold the warmth, but plastic works...just not metal)....

Pour 1 cup cold water and 1 cup boiling water (the cheater's method for getting the warmth that the yeast likes).
Stir in a couple spoons full of sugar or honey (to give the yeast something to eat).
Sprinkle 1 envelope of dry yeast on top...and leave it alone for a few minutes. You'll start to see the yeast bubble and foam up onto the surface of the water. This means you've got live yeast...a must for bread.

After it's bubbled and foamed a little, pour in 1 cup of flour....preferably white to start with....and stir for a minute or two. This develops the gluten and lets the yeast grow without overwhelming it.

Gradually add and stir in 4 more cups of flour (white, wheat or my favorite "white whole wheat" from King Arthur that has the nutrition of whole wheat but the consistency of white), 2 tablespoons of butter or shortening (a must to keep the bread fresh) and 1 tablespoon of salt (which is a must...bread without salt tastes terrible). Don't put the salt in first....salt stops the action of the yeast if it gets too sudden of a hit.

At this point you can also stir in a variety of other things....but keep in mind that this recipe makes two loaves. They'll be another chance later to customize a single loaf. If you want both loaves the same you could stir in raisins and cinnamon, or shredded cheese and herbs....maybe 1/2 cup of dry milk solids if you want a little more protein in your bread.

Don't stir too long....just enough to get most of it mixed in.

Turn the dough out onto a floured counter top (I pour another cup of flour onto the counter), flour your hands and start kneading. The best way I can describe kneading is to squish with the heels of your hands, fold the dough over, squish again, fold, squish....and keep going. You're basically mixing the dough and adding air...which you want.

I let the dough pick up as much flour from that last cup as it wants to. You don't want it sticky, but you don't want to knead it forever and force it to pick up all the flour or your bread will be tough.

Knead for a few minutes, then let it rest while you wash, rinse and dry your bowl. You'll be using it again in just a moment. In your clean dry bowl, pour a little olive or vegetable oil and rub it all around to oil the bowl...fingers work, or a folded paper towel.

Drop the dough in the bowl, turn it over so the oiled side is up, cover the bowl with a clean dishtowel and put it in a warm place without cold drafts.

Once it's doubled in size (which can take an hour or three depending on the temperature of the room, the yeast, and sometimes the alignment of the moon ), you'll punch the dough back down, turn it out onto that floured counter again, and knead it for a few more minutes.

Divide the dough in two.

Here's where you can customize a single loaf if you want...by kneading in any additions. I traditionally make one plain loaf and one with shredded cheese and mixed herbs kneaded in just because it's what we like best.

Shape the dough into two loaves (the shape need not be perfect) and put into bread pans that you've either oiled or sprayed with Pam. Cover with that dish towel again and wait.

In 45 minutes or so, your loaves will be almost doubled in size.

Turn the oven on to 350, and once it's fully preheated, pop in those loaves. Bake for 35 or 40 minutes, depending on your oven.

The loaves will be lightly browned and, if you turn the loaf out of the pan, will sound a little hollow when you tap on the bottom with open fingers.

Let them cool (if you can resist)....and enjoy!

Ok... I have tried making bread in the past, and have failed ... miserably lol

SO... I am going to try ONCE more! Ive been baking most of my life. I baked my first pie, totally from scratch, crust included... when I was 7 or 8 years old. I baked my first cake from scratch when I was 10 years old. The pie was easier lol Now people love my apple pies, my whoopi pies and of course, my cookies (cookies are strictly a Christmas treat and I make 17 different kinds, about 85 dozen in all) and the one fruit bread that I can never seem to ever make enough of, is my banana nut bread. I actually stumbled onto a recipe, that with a few tweaks, is the best I've ever made or eaten. However, I just could never seem to get the hang of baking yeast risen bread. I think I know, now, what I was doing wrong. I was not allowing the yeast and water to rest for a bit before throwing in the flour. So.... the dough is a-rising. However, instead of making two loaves of bread, I will make one loaf and then make the other half of the dough into cinnamon rolls. So, we shall see what we shall see. If nothing else, it's been fun.

I'll let you all know how it turns out!

[Novelafemme]

Originally Posted by yotlyolqualli

Ok... I have tried making bread in the past, and have failed ... miserably lol

SO... I am going to try ONCE more! Ive been baking most of my life. I baked my first pie, totally from scratch, crust included... when I was 7 or 8 years old. I baked my first cake from scratch when I was 10 years old. The pie was easier lol Now people love my apple pies, my whoopi pies and of course, my cookies (cookies are strictly a Christmas treat and I make 17 different kinds, about 85 dozen in all) and the one fruit bread that I can never seem to ever make enough of, is my banana nut bread. I actually stumbled onto a recipe, that with a few tweaks, is the best I've ever made or eaten. However, I just could never seem to get the hang of baking yeast risen bread. I think I know, now, what I was doing wrong. I was not allowing the yeast and water to rest for a bit before throwing in the flour. So.... the dough is a-rising. However, instead of making two loaves of bread, I will make one loaf and then make the other half of the dough into cinnamon rolls. So, we shall see what we shall see. If nothing else, it's been fun.

I'll let you all know how it turns out!

The BEST homemade bread instructor out there <besides Jo>

[yotlyolqualli]

Well THAT was a collosal failure! LOL

The dough did not raise very well... although it WAS disturbed.. growling... but still.. this is exactly what happened before. I do not have the "light" bread touch, apparently lol

[Rockinonahigh]

I think your idea is a fine one,there were two thinggs I wanted to do in haveing a job in my lifetime.One was train horses till I had done all I wanted to do,then become a chef.My only regeret is I didnt do it sooner than I did,at age 50 I went to culinary school,on one hand it was the hardest thing I have done cause I hadnt cracked a text book since high school then there was the age factor of me being the oldest on my class most being around 19 to 25..that was anothe lesson to learn cause people shure have changed a lot over the years.
Culinary school isnt a walk in the park,you can bet it will take lots of work in class as well as in the lab(kitchen).Dont be afraid to make a mistake in anything you do its part of the learning process nomatter what you choose.It took me two years to get through my chef training and graduate.So many folks get into this trade and are shocked to find out how much book work there is to it and trere will be lots of it.Be chosey as to which school you go to as the better it is the more you will learn,Cordon Bleu is rally good,Culinary Instatute of America is another good one,Look in your area at the local colleges or trade schools or look for specilaty schools by well known Chefs that have a school of there own.I went to a local trade school,it was pretty good but I never thought I got he training I should have gotten in many areas ..such as bakeing,working sugar,cake decorateing ..Ice carveing even will add to you credentials that you will need to inhace your resume.If you have anymore questions just ask, I will anser them,pm me or ask hear.
Good luck in your venture and happy bakeing.