Wednesday, December 15, 2010

E: Soft Sandwich Bread with Flax

Hello! Halfway there :) First things first, a BIG thank you to my sister for the awesome Christmas package she sent Josh & I. We haven’t opened our wrapped gifts yet, but in the package she included some amazing TJs goodies:

 bread 001

AND a Starbucks card. Whoop whoop. I can’t stop eating the chocolate covered pomegranate seeds- delicious! Thank you Kim!!

Last week, when I posted about my fear of making crackers, many of you mentioned that you fear making yeast breads. I used to have the same fear until one day, I just dug in and tried. I found that they are A LOT easier to make than you think. Yesterday, I tried my hand at a new recipe, King Arthur’s Soft Sandwich Bread with Flax. Here are a few pictures along the way.

After kneading in my stand mixer:

 bread 002

After the first rise:

 bread 003

After the second rise:

   bread 006

Post-bake:

 bread 010

 bread 008

 bread 009

 

If you’ve never tried baking with yeast, give it a go! There is nothing quite like homemade bread!! Here are a few more easy recipes to try:

English Muffin Bread

Homemade Wheat Bread

Foccacia

Do you have a favorite bread recipe (with or without yeast)?

36 comments:

Lauren said...

That is so sweet of your sister. What a great package, I can't wait to try some of the new TJ's Christmas products.

You go girl! That bread looks awesome!

Jessica @ How Sweet said...

I love those chocolate covered arils! They last about 60 seconds in my house.

Susan said...

I love that you are tackling all of these fears in the kitchen! You go Erica!

I too am intimidated by yeast breads, but I really want to try making them!

Heather said...

I just bought those chocolate covered pom seeds for J for Christmas yesterday! :)
My favorite bread recipe is for potato buns - yum!

Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg said...

Great looking bread!!! Yum!

I LOVE those chocolate covered pomegranate seeds. SO good!

Tiffany @ The Chi-Athlete said...

How nice of your Sissy! Chocolate-covered Pom seeds? Wow...lol!

I'll admit, I have a bread machine that does the worrying for me. Spoiled?

CaSaundraLeigh said...

Sounds like a tasty package to me--yum!! I actually opened my FIRST pomegranate yesterday..the time was well over due!
And I will be making some yeast breads for Christmas, so I'll be able to practice a bit! :-)

Rose said...

Great job on the bread!

Anonymous said...

Never really made bread, but that looks wonderful!!
Oh and those chocolate-covered pom seeds look fabulous as well!!!! =D

tam said...

Looks like a perfect loaf, yum x x

Averie @ Averie Cooks said...

ive never made bread and honestly will admit, i am scared to death of it b/c the whole rising, yeast, waiting, baking, etc just scares me! like there WILL be a way for me to goof it up...haha!

Mandi said...

What a beautiful loaf of bread Itzy =) Love ya!

Renee Paj said...

Currently this is my favorite bread recipe at the moment
http://mykitchenadventures1.blogspot.com/search/label/bread
also a King Arthur Flour recipe! :)

I have those peppermint pretzels...dangerously good. Sort of glad I didn't spot the chocolate covered arils....I wouldn't be able to resist those!! lol have you tried the tj's peppermint green tea? OMG...heaven!!!

Jenna said...

Homemade bread is AMAZING! Looks fabulous.

Banana or pumpkin bread is one of my favorites.

Faith said...

Your bread turned out perfect! There's nothing like homemade bread, delicious! One of my favorites is oatmeal bread.

erica said...

What an awesome package from your sister. I love Trader Joes and will definitely be going to one when I go home to Michigan. You have inspired me to make my own bread. I am going to try it this weekend.

xo

Tracey said...

Aren't those dark chocolate covered pomegranate seeds the best! They are amazing used as a topper on ice cream, oatmeal and cereal.
I have yet to try to make a yeast bread but I do have 2 packets of yeast in my kitchen. Maybe after the holidays I will give it a try!

Katie said...

Your sister is so sweet! I rarely get to TJ's because there isn't one near us, so I would definitely appreciate those goodies.

Isn't homemade bread the best?! I made some this weekend and have been obsessed with it since!

Have a great day :-)

Dawn Dishes It Out said...

What a great sis! I miss TJ's SoOoOo much. Great job on the bread. I just started baking breads this year and they are so much better than store bought. And, a lot easier than people may think.

Paige is Running Around Normal said...

How nice of your sister :) Looks yummmy!
That bread looks so delicious! You're so talented, Erica!!

Heather (Where's the Beach) said...

What a great package to receive. I wish we had a TJs here. I love making bread, but I do cheat and use the bread machine on the dough setting then once it's done, I can roll it out and shape it. Your bread looks fantastic.

Holly said...

What a sweet sister!! Hmmm...maybe I should pass this along to my sisters? :-)

Yep, bread would definitely be one of the things I'm intimidated to make. I think I'll just have to get to it one day, and hopefully be pleasantly surprised like you!

The Blonde Duck said...

My wheat rolls!

Christina said...

that is a really pretty loaf of bread!!

teresa said...

i have GOT to get to TJ's those treats look amazing. i love that bread, i bet it's amazing fresh out of the oven!

Corey @ the runners cookie said...

The bread looks super soft and delicious! I've only made yeast bread once, but I'd love to try making another kind soon...grocery store sliced bread doesn't even compare!

Nicole @ Geek Turned Athlete said...

I make GF bread all the time. I love yeast! I didn't realize how easy it was to make either until I started making my own pizza dough. It tastes so much better than store bought. ;)

Kris | iheartwellness.com said...

How wonderful is this gift from your sister! I have never had chocolate covered pomegranate seeds....those sound amazing!

I have never baked with yeast as all my flours are usually something that doesn't need the yeast.

Great looking bread!

xxoo

Naomi(Onefitfoodie) said...

I am so scared to make crakers AND bread!! you are the queen of homemade bread...show me your ways!! haha

Simply Life said...

Great recipe! I LOVE making my own breads but haven't found a good sandwich bread yet- this one looks great!

Kjirsten- Balanced Healthy Life said...

I never bake my own bread, I usually just buy it! I love that you put flax in your bread!

Julie said...

does that say PEPPERMINT PRETZELS! gahhhhh i NEEED to find those!!! and i'm thinking you're gonna have some pretty tasty and holidayesque parfaits headed your way with that snack granola ;)

i'm so afraid of yeast hahaha i didn't know it had to rise TWICE! when we open Brinner you can be in charge of the bread making hahaha

BroccoliHut said...

Ooh! Can't wait to hear what you think of those chocolate covered pom seeds!

Priyanka said...

I would love to read a manual if any such exists about baking with yeast for dummies. To begin with what kind of yeast do you use? I mean what brand?

Your baked good look perfect always! Wish I had baking skills like you!

Krista said...

Yes! Yeast is one of those ingredients that scares me, but I always wonder why once I've used it.

lynn said...

i've had a similar theme to my day - TJ's and baked bread!