i.love.bread.
September 22, 2010 What’s the matter Dakota?? Am I making so much noise in the kitchen that you can’t get your beauty rest? Ruff life.
So, after teasing you with my loaf of bread yesterday, here it is! Well, the beginning of it! I bought some active dry yeast in bulk at this awesome local store, Natural Grocers [they’re in some Western States]. It’s the puffiest active dry yeast ever!! The yeast in the packets never gets this foamy.
I have been eyeing up Ashley’s recipe for Red Quinoa bread for months now. Whole Foods was out of red quinoa, but white will work just fine. The red quinoa makes the bread so much prettier though!
This bread was a little tricky, but it turned out fabulously! I made a few small changes, based on preferences. They are as follows:
- 3T Greek yogurt instead of grainy mustard [I hate mustard!!]
- 1/2c ground pepitas + 2T ground hemp seeds instead of 1/2c chopped walnuts [not a fan of nuts in sandwich type breads]
- brown rice syrup instead of agave nectar
- 1c whole wheat pastry flour instead of 1c whole wheat bread flour [didn’t have any]
In hindsight, if you don’t like mustard, you could just leave it out. I don’t think there is a need to add the Greek yogurt. I was afraid of the loaf being dry, but I ended up having to add about 1c extra flour.
I followed Ashley’s directions exactly, so there is no point in my reposting the steps. I only had to wait 1 hour for the dough to rise the first time though. It doubled if not more, in 1 quick hour. Whoa. I swear this yeast is magical!!
I pounded the dough down to release the air, and gave it another knead or 2. I then tore off a decent size chunk to cook in a mini loaf pan. I knew since I added a whole extra cup of flour, there would be more dough.
I put a tea towel over the pans and waited. I swear I could SEE the towel growing. Would you just LOOK at this loaf!!!!!!!!!
I threw it in the oven to bake, and also burnt my arm. Awesome.
While baking, I grabbed a glass of milk. I don’t drink much cow’s milk anymore. Not for any reason in particular really. I’ve always been able to tolerate dairy with no problems. I’ve just been experimenting with all of the other non-dairy milks, that I don’t drink much real milk anymore. In Colorado, you can get delicious local milk. Cheap, delicious local milk. AND, you get a refund for bringing the bottle back. I have been buying 1-2%. The flavor is just so amazing. It’s much creamier than milks I’ve had in the past too!
So there, now you know, I’m not always slugging hemp + almond milk. I like cow’s milk too!
And then the bread was done. You know that mini loaf was gone by the time I took these photos, right? Yep. Well, it was done baking sooner, sooooo…it got consumed.
It even has the cute bread shape at the top, like store bought loaves. That was pure luck!
I loved the softness of this bread. The crust was thick and hearty. I loved the small crunchy pieces from the pepitas and hemp seeds. It slices easily and is very dense. The only problem I’m having is since it has been sitting around a few days, it’s falling apart easily after being cut. I know I messed things up a bit with the Greek yogurt addition and then having to add flour. It was also a bit bland, due to the Greek yogurt substitution + more flour as well. Definitely a problem on my end! Ashley’s version, with the mustard, probably gives it a nice little kick of flavor.
Chris liked it but didn’t love it. I loved it. I definitely want to revisit this recipe, but I’m going to try out many other recipes first. I’m having so much fun baking bread!!
My bread slicing skills are amateur at best.
What did I have for breakfast this morning? Come on….you know what I had!!
Another butternut squash smoothie!! This time with freshly cooked butternut squash. I made a butternut soup the night before [coming soon] and had some leftover. This one tasted even better with the fresh squash.
You know I really like something for breakfast if I made it more than 1 day in a row and forgo my oats. Honestly, I would make this again tomorrow, if I wasn’t out of squash.
Thick!
I actually measured out my ingredients today. I never do this with smoothies!
Butternut Banana Smoothie [original recipe from Gena]
- 1c cooked butternut squash
- 3/4c milk
- 1/2 frozen banana
- 1t vanilla extract
- 1t cinnamon
- 1/4t ginger
- few shakes of nutmeg
- 2T vanilla hemp protein powder
- 1t maca [optional]
I haven’t been using ice in my smoothies because our ice tastes bad! Water tastes fine, but ice tastes bad. The banana made it cold enough though!
With a side of toast. I cute a super thick slice and went for 2 different toppings. HEAB has been raving about avocado + jam lately, so I thought I would give it a go. You all know, I can’t make toast without slapping some PB on one side!!
Can you believe I once tried the South Beach Diet!!!??? I live for carbs. How dare I do that to myself!
I liked it, but didn’t love it. Just not in the mood for avocado in the AM unless it’s in a smoothie! ;) Still good though. She has also been talking about avocado + peanut butter + banana, which sounds more up my alley. However, I’m out of bananas. Terrible, I know.
Dakota why is your nose dirty? Are you helping Kenna dig the hole in the back yard?
Oh yeah! I went on a crazy bike ride today. It was my furthest yet!
THIRTY SEVEN MILES [2hr 40min of riding!!]
So very exciting. My quads are dead!!! More about the ride + some biking tips in my next post…along with food, obviously.
Modern Family + Cereal + Hot Tub + Bed
<3 ashley
bread, butternut squash
Reader Comments (52)
Congrats on the epic ride!! I miss my summer rides on the coast.
I'm not much of a baker but quinoa bread sounds so good! I must try it.
Great bike ride (can't wait for the details!) I'm anxious for some fall riding after I run my last race of the season (half in 1.5 weeks!)
Holy bike ride!
Your bread looks amazing.
I once tried South Beach when my dad was doing it. I lasted 2 hours.
The bread looks perfect!!!! As does that smoothies. I like to mash banana and butternut squash for a sweet/savory side dish.
Great ride girl! :)
The bread looks perfect.
Way to go on the bike ride!!!
That bread looks delicious by the way!
37?!?!?!?!?! you are so hardcore :) and that bread looks so amazing...if i'd made it i don't think there would be photos since i'd probably eat the entire thing!
you're so punny.
ruff life.
make that reasons number 123894 i adore you.
also - clearly i am ridiculous and tried to declare your punniness as a multitude of reasons, when truly it is just one major reason.
That bread looks fantastic, yum! And congrats on 37 miles- wow! Crazy good!
xo
Kris
mmm that bread looks tasty :)
i need a bike....
I'm starting a new blog series called "Flour Girl" which is all about baking bread. I just posted my first article in the series here
http://gamereviewwiki.com/bikinibirthday/2010/09/22/enzymes/
If you are interested. It's a little about how enzymes work in bread dough.
I plan to write more facts, tips, and recipes on bread baking.
Congrats on the 37 miles!! Woohoo!
Great ride! Excuse me, though, because while you ride, I think I'm going to eat up this post in all it's beautiful glory of eats.
Awesome looking loaf! Your yeast must be super nice and fresh :D Oh yeah... And I cut my bread like that too, LOL. I drive the hubby crazy when I slice bread because he always gets a deformed piece if he slices his after me. And I once did the South Beach too. How weird? Actually it was my parents while I was still living at home. It actually worked really well for me at the time, but seriously not something I could keep up living on my own or feeding my stick-thin hub.
OK. Again. Great job on your ride! Your bread looks great . . . and i love how you divided it into a tiny and huge loaf :) Maybe someday we'll bake bread together!!! And PS: My favorite pic is of the milk. Love the simplicity.
Gorgeous bread!
Congrats on your run! I want to do a 30 miler, but I am going to wait until my marathon is over. I find that riding distances really affects how well I run distances.
37 miles! i am so proud of you!!
Wow, your bread looks fantastic! I'll have to check out that recipe. I've been experimenting with a few loaves with the new breadmaker my mom got me for my birthday, but after the last one (which was a total flop) I was a bit discouraged. That one looks super interesting though, and higher in protein I would imagine?? awesome!
Also...you have a hot tub? :o!
You may have convinced me to drive all the way across town to the health food store to see if they have yeast in bulk. Damn you! ;)
oh, this bread looks delicious... please tell me you ate the mini loaf while it was still warm, with some melty butter...
I want that smoothie, I can almost SMELL the spicy... and it looks pretty - very Autumn. :)
YuuuummmM! Homemade bread! There is nothing better! I can not sit by and not make my own!
I think I am in love with your dogs, they are sooo cute. I wish we lived closer so we can have a doggie play date :)
the bread looks amamzing!
for the yucky ice, try cleaning your freezer with baking soda and then putting a little bowl of baking soda in one corner, to absorb odors. Just might do the trick.
I definitely want to make bread more often. I make biscuits sometimes if I need a easy carb sometimes, just because it doesn't require yeast and rising, which I often forget to think about until its too late. I love a focaccia recipe I've tweaked from Eating Well magazine. So delicious! I also sometimes go to King Arthur's website for ideas.
I love the look of milk in those glass bottles, but unfortunately it's not so great in terms of vitamins, since Vitamin D is sensitive to light. Not a big deal if you only have milk once in a while, but it is a bummer, especially since their more environmentally friendly :(
You totally inspired me to start baking bread again! I love fall bread/muffin/scone baking!! one word...PUMPKIN!!
37 miles on the bike? Way to go - sounds like you need some carbs in your life. Even if your bread didn't taste quite perfect, it still looked beautiful! You take amazing photos. :) Your avo/jam toast has me drooling, and yes, you must restock the naners so you can try the avo/pb/banana combo. I think you'd love. :)
i tried baking bread once and I failed miserably...that has scared me from making bread ever since!! that looks grainy and deluicious. I love nutty, bread that doesnt fall flat when something is placed on top of it. A bread that can stand alone and this bread def looks like that!!
Awesome bike ride! I really wish that I rode my bike more over the summer. Oh well.
The bread would have been perfect to refuel you after that ride. YUMMMMM!
Congrats on the bike ride and the great loaf of bread :) I work with some crazy biker who do 100-mile rides on the weekends!!! Then they come to work and can't sit down because they're so sore, lol.
That smoothie is making my mouth water!
Wow, that's awesome! I want to get into biking, but I need.... a bike first. Ha.
I finally posted about making bagels - it's here: http://linesiya.wordpress.com/2010/09/22/because-i-pass-a-bagel-shop-every-day/
It was REALLY easy (just a lot of night-before prep), you should def try it if you're still wanting to make bagels!
Ashley, love your site and can't wait to make that bread. Made your maple almond butter today and Love it. Question: do you keep your homemade nut butters in the fridge. Seems it would lose it's creamy goodness, but I don't want it to spoil either.
Thank you for sharing! I too love bread! :D
Thanks so much Sally!! I actually do not keep my nut butters in the fridge. I eat them within 1 month...I would say as long as they're in a cool/dry place [not in direct sunlight] they'll be fine. I've never had a problem with them spoiling or anything like that. When you buy natural peanut butter at the store, they don't put extra ingredients to make it shelf stable...and you can keep that out, so I just do the same with mine! :)
Yummm they look so good!
Give it another go!! :)
Thanks Heather!! I will definitely give it a shot. :) It's a sad day when there are no bananas in the house!!
Yaaay!! I'm loving it! :) And yes...PUMPKIN!
Oooh, I've never made biscuits. I really want to be able to make a good sourdough. We both love it! I never checked King Arthurs site...duh!!! That should have been a no brainer!
Thanks for the tip. I never would have thought of that!
LOL!!!! I hope that's what the good rise came from ;)
Yes!! We do have a hot tub. It's been really warm here still but cooling off at night. So fun! Yeah, I would think the protein of that bread was pretty high!
Thanks!!! hehe :) miss you!
Too funny...I just can't cut straight down!
Thanks lady!!
LOL!!! Too funny Natalia ;)
Thanks Julie!!!
Ooooh, I can't wait to check it out!!
Clearly, I adore you as well. Clearly.
Like I said...the mini loaf was gone in about 5min.