after party

The pet rock thing went pretty well.  I covered up all the furniture and I think that was key. For the less abstract among us, I also bought some little birdhouses on sticks for painting.  And for the more physical among us, there was also crazy jumping on the bed and throwing things at Paul.  There are a few kids and a lot of adults missing from this picture, but I'm guessing they were in the kitchen carbo-loading.  I do what I can.

So.  The book.  I am not a person who ever considered baking my own bread/rolls/what-have-you and my venture into yeasted doughs pretty much begins and ends on New Year's Day every year.  I grew up around homemade bread and it was the rule and not the exception to make most things from scratch (until Costco showed up, anyway).  But not me.  Enter Chicken and her ringing endorsement and here I sit with great surprise at how much I've loved and used this book in the last few weeks.  I've tried and had great success with four doughs (the basic, challah, olive oil, and chocolate) to make boules, loaves, turban shaped raisin challah, pizza, calzones, sticky buns, and fougasse stuffed with feta and roasted red peppers. Sam's party food looked like a freaking edible press release. 

Now, there are some errors in the book which are sort of big (check this page and go ahead and mark your book right away).  Also, if you get hung up on the "Five Minutes" part, there's a small chance you'll be disappointed.  While it's true-- actual hands on time is really short, the forethought involved for someone like me expands those minutes exponentially.  What you should know, is that these recipes are really, very easy and if you follow the directions you will turn out some brilliant results.  While the boules are smaller than what you might buy in the grocery store, if you leave it to cool all the way, it slices up nice and thin.  The sweet breads all swelled nicely and made 8" rounds.  In all this, we are actually eating less bread than usual, but we're eating it more mindfully which is a pretty happy thing.
 

I know making the food my family eats is far from revolutionary, but I will admit that enjoying the making experience sort of is.  That makes all the difference here and the reason that I love this book/idea so much.  Next up, I'm tackling the whole grain thing.  And Amy has been loving on the oatmeal dough so that's near the top of the list.  Also, I should get some exercise lest my middle starts to resemble a brioche or a couronne or worse, a pain d'epi.

Comments

[Rebekah]

all of your different varieties look so yummy! I just had a slice of my first loaf from this book and I'm so excited about all of the possibilities!

[erin]

dang! those sticky buns look amazing.
i think i need the book.

[Violette Crumble]

I'm so glad you posted all these photos. I've accomplished the basic dough, and as of tonight the light-wheat in a loaf pan (it took half a recipe for one loaf). I posted a full report on my blog (with much lousier pics than yours) and now I'm organizing a pot luck with other women I know using the book, so that we can compare how each other's breads turn out, plus try the different types. I'm trying to lose weight for summer, but dang, those pecan sticky buns are seriously calling me from your photos.

You made a killer party, that's for sure.

[Mama Urchin]

Yum and fun. What a good combination.

[kristin]

oh those look SO yummy!! I may have to get that book! :) I've been having some major cravings for yeasty breads lately, particularly homemade. :)

Just made a HUGE announcement on the blog of the "HOLY MOLY" sort, so if you have a moment, stop on by. :)

[akaSleen]

Wait...mark what page? Is there supposed to be a link there? help me!

[Andrea]

Ok, that's it. I have to buy that book. I've seen Angry Chicken drooling over it.. and here you are with your awesome photos. Fine! I will buy it! Now will everyone leave me alone to cry over the expanding pants that will be in my future with all that fresh bread?

[hannah]

i don't read your blog, but i do eat your bread. it is fabulous.

[nanette]

I love making bread but it has taken me years to find the perfect recipe. I'm always looking for new ways to do things. Your stuff looks way yum.

[amy k.]

all the breads were so good!! you did an amazing job and it was a rad rock painting party. . . thank you!!

[amy h]

Happy birthday to Sam! It looks like a good time. Good lord, I would eat myself sick with that much bread on hand.

[sally]

The party was so fun and as we were driving home I was complaining about my full belly. Sumi asked how much I ate and let's just say she was amazed/disgusted. ;)

[sally]

What a fun birthday party! All the food was SO good. On our drive home I was complaining about my full stomach and Sumi asked me how much I ate...and after I told her she was amazed/disgusted! ;)

[Molly]

Melissa, that is some seriously gorgeous bread! I am now very, very tempted to get the book. Hot damn. Hey, if you try the oatmeal dough, will you write about it? Or drop me an e-mail about it? It sounds sooo good...

[molly]

I don't know but I think a rock-painting party is just about the coolest thing I can think of. Over the past year, I've been slowly conquering my fear of yeast and dough...I might have to ad this book to my library because I'm totally impressed with your layout of pictures in this post. You've been busy and it all looks so good!

[Paper Dolls for Boys]

Looks like a great party, I'll have to bust open my copy and bake up for my little one's b.day.
Did I miss the info on the error in the book?
Cheers, Tracey (who will dream of those stinky buns tonight)

[Regina]

where do i find corrections to the errors in the book?
thanks
r

[Regina]

nevermind. for those wanting it go to the link 'the book' which takes you to artisanbreadinfive.com. on the menu bar at the top, far right it says 'error'; corrections are there.
r

[amisha]

your place looks like bread heaven!
i am all about making more bread this summer. it's hard being one person on my own + a bread lover so gotta find someone to share it with! otherwise i will definitely resemble a brioche. that plus the stress/carbocraving... yeah anyway. bread is good. :)
xox

[Tabitha]

I bought the book and we've already made several loaves--how absolutely wonderful!!! I can't to try some more of the master recipes and variations. Thanks!