Wednesday, December 9, 2009

BBA - Italian Bread


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:

Anonymous said...

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.

Joanne said...

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.

margot said...

The crumb on the bread looks great! I can't believe you don't buy bread at all any more, very impressive.

Unknown said...

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!

Nancy/n.o.e said...

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!!

Kayte said...

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!

megan said...

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! :)