I Smell Bread - Yum!

The weather has finally turned cooler in St Louis.  I am so thankful.  I HATE HOT WEATHER!!

I love the autumn and the cooler temp's.  I know we will still have some hot days but we may be turning the corner.  We went to school yesterday with supplies and picked up schedules, locker assignments and paid for the class t-shirt and year book.  I could tell my son was less than thrilled (that's an understatement (:

He is going to miss all of the lazy fun days we have had over the summer.  But getting back into a schedule is good.  Once we're in it, things will be fine.  But right now it's like ripping off a bandaid!

This morning we are putting a batch of bread in the bread maker - the world's easiest way to make homemade bread.

 First we got out the machine - we have not used this since the winter time - we don't really feel like making bread in the middle of the summer.

We got this machine from our wedding registry about 18 years ago and it still works perfectly.

hint, hint - I have seen lots of these posted on Freecycle - I think people clearing cabinet space - so if you want to try a machine you might try to get a FREE one!  Just make sure to ask the person if it still works - you probably don't want to waste gas and time picking up a broken machine.  Second make sure to ask if the bread machine paddle is with the machine - otherwise it will not mix and knead.  Those paddles are small and easy to lose, so it's a good idea to check for that also.

 Okay, step 2, select the type of bread - our machine has about 6 different cycles including a dough making cycle.  The dough cycle is perfect for homemade pizza crust and calzone dough.

This is the easiest way to make pizza dough that I know.  No mess and no flour everywhere.  I will make a post on that in the near future, maybe this weekend.

 Next measure and pour in all of the ingredients according to your recipe.  You can see a little mound in the middle of the dough pan - that is where the paddle is lifting and mixing the flour, yeast, & water mixture.

Then just walk away from it for about 2 hours.

We will post the finished bread photo later.  This is just to get you inspired to pull out your bread maker or to try the freecycle approach and see if you can score one that someone else is done with.

Now, on to making something with these gorgeous tomatoes.  Maybe some tomatoe, garlic, olive oil, basil, S&P, and a few other spices for a little snack with the fresh french bread that's baking. 

Boy, is our house going to smell great by lunchtime.  Wish you were here to enjoy it with us :)

Recipe for Classic French Bread:
makes one large loaf

1 1/2 cups water
3 1/4 cups white flour (or bread flour works great also)
1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons fast rise yeast or 3 teaspoons active dry yeast (I just got several packets on clearance  3 packets for $.78 at my Target store - exp. date late 2012 - so you might check the clearance area.  Yeast is "expensive" for what it is, at least that's my opinion, so if you can save a little on the ingredients it's great.

Load into the machine according to your machine's instructions.  Follow the baking cycle recommended by your manufacturer.

I am linking to these great parties:

Full Plate Thursdays at Miz Helen's Country Cottage