Chocolate or Bread?

thanks, freefoto.com

I'd rather eat bread. I don't crave chocolate or salty snacks. I always did find it silly when I'd hear people moan and groan about their cravings for chocolate- ''Augh. I'm dying for a piece of chocolate''.  I hope the chocoholics aren't taking offense...I just never understood it.  Given the choice between chocolate and bread, I would prefer to take the bread and do some serious damage. Preferably on the couch, in my pajamas, with a tub of margarine. Maybe even some tomato basil soup.

I crave bread. Good bread. I'll take it with butter. Olive oil. Peanut Butter. Jam. Plain. I'll take it any which way you can spin it.

I don't love preservatives. I don't like words I cannot pronounce or define (maltotriribodioxyhelium may be lurking in your bread. Probably not. I made it up in my science lab). And! I especially don't like that someone, somewhere, felt compelled to invent white wheat bread. What?!

So why has a self proclaimed Laura-Ingalls-Wannabe like myself continued to purchase mass produced loaves of bread each week?

I'll tell you why.

I get a little frustrated around recipes and measuring cups. I often find myself underestimating the importance of sticking to the amounts called for.  And as for active-dry-rapid-instant-determined yeast? Well. That's just a whole separate issue with me.

It's much easier to throw the loaf in your cart, you see.
And so I do.


But that's no way for a someday homesteader to think. Not in the slightest.

So this week, I said 'hello' to unbleached bread flour, and resisted the pull of the bread aisle.

....And this is what happened:

That's right folks. That's homemade bread. And, if you've been reading, you will remember that I kept my promise to myself by baking something. ( See post regarding my patience and home skills.)

Brett and I devoured two out of the three loaves this weekend...they're incredible. I used this recipe : Simple Whole Wheat Bread. Try it. You will not be disappointed.

I am officially hooked, and will most likely be making 75% of our bread from now on. It's worth it in every way.

I only wish I could figure out a way to befriend King Arthur and get a better deal on flour.

Enjoy!