About Me

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I live in Kent with my husband, toddler Tilly (henceforth known as Monkey) and another baby due in November. We have two cats, Duncan and Lady Macbeth, and four chickens who kindly lay us eggs daily. We live in the picturesque seaside town of Broadstairs. I enjoy reading, knitting and cooking. I'm trying to be a bit 'greener' (not sure how successfully), and to be a gentle parent. Extended breastfeeding and co-sleeping don't freak me out, we use cloth nappies and try to follow some of the ideals of Attachment Parenting. If that sounds as if I know what I'm doing, I don't! I am also a psychotherapist with an interest in Focusing-oriented therapy, and I have a small private practice in the area.

Friday 17 April 2009

Breadmaking


Tidy home, Tidy Mind? I found some lovely wicker baskets on special offer today, so now the Monkey's toys look much neater and she has a basket for her books.


For a while I've had the urge to bake my own bread, and this week my first loaf was created! I ordered the Tassajara Bread Book after seeing it on Soulemama's blog, however I haven't used the recipe yet because the measurements are all in American cups which have totally baffled me (so, American cups aren't the same as UK cups?). My first loaf was simply made from the recipe on the back of the Hovis wholemeal bread flour packet. I added a sprinkling of powdered milk and used molasses as the sweetener (from the Tassajara method). The loaf tasted great, here's Monkey having a nibble:

DH also liked it, and asked why we buy our bread from the shop?! It sounds silly but I didn't expect it to taste like Real Bread! But it definitely did. I made another loaf yesterday, it doesn't take much time at all, as long as I have a bit of baby-free time to do the kneading. I'm not sure how long it keeps for though? I found the loaves a bit cake-y tasting and heavy, not sure if they needed more kneading or a slight alteration to the recipe, but I look forward to trying the full Tassajara method when I have more time available next week.

4 comments:

nocton4 said...

Treat yourself to a set of US measuring cups ( look on ebay ) they do come in handy.
Really must treat myself to that book
Love the baskets btw and Monkey looks even more adorable, if that could be possible.
xx

Antoinette said...

Now that's funny. I just posted about baking bread, as this is a new adventure for me also.

I've been thinking of getting hold of that book. It looks good. I wonder, are US cups larger than UK cups...possibly?

Your bread looks gorgeous! Love that rich colour, and what a lovely Monkey too.

And those wicker baskets are fab!

Unknown said...

Yay for more homebaked rbead.

Back in England I bought a set of measuring cups. (as well as measuring spoons) From a baking/cooking section somewhere. They have both ml and cup measurements. Very handy. I do almost all American recipes as they are written.

Laura said...

Ooh. That book is on my wishlist. Homemade bread is the best.

Tilly is so cute - love your main picture. :)

Laura / Mamoo x