2 posts tagged “bread”

I started baking bread in college. I didn't really know what I was doing, and ten years later, I know a lot more. I know that the bread I made back then was bricklike because I didn't let it rise enough, and I probably over-kneaded it. You can make really great bread in under three hours. If you're REALLY lazy, you can also make dough, let it sit overnight, reshape then cook. I have an incredibly basic French baguette recipe that involves very little kneading, and I have ciabatta recipes that are a bit more complex. I've even tried to make boiled bagels.

This weekend, I think I'm going to create sourdough. This is complex because it requires, more or less, rotten starter. Well, not exactly. But it takes at least 2 days to get it blooming right, apparently. But once you got that, the loaf making is fairly standard.

stolen from Real Simple

No-Cost Sandwich Press

Make a sandwich of French or Italian bread and your favorite slices of meat and cheese. Spread butter on the outside of the bread, place the sandwich in a warm skillet over medium heat, and lay a standard dinner plate and a 28-ounce can of tomatoes on top of the sandwich for 3 minutes. Flip over and repeat.

Revive Stale Bread with Ice Cubes

Rub an ice cube (or drizzle water) across unsliced bread until the crust is damp, then bake at 370° F for 12 minutes.

Mix Iced Coffee with Cocktail Shaker

Recipe for 2 servings: Pour 2 cups strong black coffee or 2 shots espresso into a shaker filled with ice. Add a splash of milk and sugar to taste. Shake vigorously, then pour.

Use Sandwich Bag as a Baking Aid

Slip your hand into a bag when you're spreading pastry dough in a pie plate. It will prevent the dough from sticking to your fingers, and heat from your hand won't oversoften the mixture.

Kitchen Towel for Preparing Rice

Once the rice is tender, remove the pan from the heat, place a folded towel over the saucepan, replace the lid, and set aside for 5 to 10 minutes. The towel will absorb the excess moisture.

Dinner Fork as Garlic Press

To “puree” garlic: Hold the tines flat against a work surface, and vigorously rub a peeled clove across them.

see also ways to fix kitchen mistakes