I am officially a bread snob. Even though I felt like making a sandwich the other day, I couldn't do it. See, we didn't have any bread in the house. I don't buy bread anymore. It just doesn't measure up, even to my pathetic loaves, and certainly not to the loaves that fill me with pride and disbelief.
So I jumped ahead of our Bread Bakers' Apprentice posting schedule and made this several weeks ago. We needed bread. The preparation was similar to the French bread we recently made. I had heard rumblings that this bread wasn't as good as the French, but I thought it was pretty great, especially in a sandwich. Even though this was a hearth bread (like the dismal ciabatta fail a while back), I didn't freak out.
I used my Italian olive oil and let it rest in the fridge for a couple of days to build flavor. Right after I made this one, I bought a lame (for slashing the loaves) and a peel (for transferring the loaves to the oven). I still naively believe that the right tools will solve all my baking problems.
This bread comes from the book The Bread Baker's Apprentice: Mastering the Art of Extraordinary Bread. Next up: Kaiser rolls!
7 comments:
Okay. I got a little scared when I saw your post because I'm joining the slow and steady group when it gets to Italian Bread. You jumped ahead. LOL.
It looks great and I can't wait to make it.
I made Italian Herb bread the other day - so good! I like your recipe.
As for your two new additions (post below) CONGRATULATIONS! They are beautiful. I wish upon wishes that we could have a cat but between the German Shepherd and the husbands allergies, our house would be a mess.
The crumb on the bread looks great! I can't believe you don't buy bread at all any more, very impressive.
Haha I'm the same way. We haven't had bread in weeks and my husband simply can't understand why I won't buy a loaf :) Your bread looks wonderful - great job!
I just baked the French Bread this week, and i think it's my favorite one yet! So now I can't wait to try the Italian. I'm with you: don't remember the last time I bought a loaf of bread. Yay for homemade bread!!
This looks so great, and I love that plate you served it on. I am like you...we don't buy bread anymore...I am forever making bread and rolls. I am a little behind in BBA S&S...have to get past my focaccia fobia in a hurry so I can make this one!
This bread looks great! I love to try new bread recipes. :) I think I'm becoming a bread snob too - especially for grilled cheese sandwiches - those are just so good on homemade bread! :)
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