Comments on: Bread and Wine; Girl's Night Out "How to Bake Bread" Class http://www.formerchef.com/2009/06/22/bread-and-wine-girls-night-out-how-to-bake-bread-class/ Cook. Eat. Travel. Grow. Fri, 10 Sep 2010 16:11:42 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: formerchef http://www.formerchef.com/2009/06/22/bread-and-wine-girls-night-out-how-to-bake-bread-class/#comment-2142 formerchef Sun, 13 Jun 2010 00:59:47 +0000 http://formerchef.com/?p=630#comment-2142 Hi Nanette- It was fun! We've been talking about doing another one. I made up a batch of dough the day before. When everyone arrived, I showed them how to measure and mix a new batch. Then, I pulled out the dough which was ready and made a couple of loaves. Those loaves rested while we chatted, drank wine, I made some pizzas, etc. So it was mostly demo by me, but that seemed fine with everyone. Looking back, I may have actually put a loaf in the oven, or at least had one ready to go in by the time they arrived. That's what I'd do if I were to do it again anyway. Hi Nanette-
It was fun! We’ve been talking about doing another one.
I made up a batch of dough the day before. When everyone arrived, I showed them how to measure and mix a new batch. Then, I pulled out the dough which was ready and made a couple of loaves. Those loaves rested while we chatted, drank wine, I made some pizzas, etc. So it was mostly demo by me, but that seemed fine with everyone.
Looking back, I may have actually put a loaf in the oven, or at least had one ready to go in by the time they arrived. That’s what I’d do if I were to do it again anyway.

]]> By: NanetteM http://www.formerchef.com/2009/06/22/bread-and-wine-girls-night-out-how-to-bake-bread-class/#comment-2141 NanetteM Sun, 13 Jun 2010 00:19:06 +0000 http://formerchef.com/?p=630#comment-2141 I am also a fan of Abin5. I love your idea of girls night out! I'd like to try the cooking class idea. Would be fun to turn friends onto this bread! So I guess the bread baking took about 1 1/2 hours with resting time and baking time. Right? So you all just hung out and drank wine while you were waiting? Was it mostly demo by you or did everyone have a part to do? Any recommendations on how to make it successful? I am also a fan of Abin5. I love your idea of girls night out! I’d like to try the cooking class idea. Would be fun to turn friends onto this bread! So I guess the bread baking took about 1 1/2 hours with resting time and baking time. Right? So you all just hung out and drank wine while you were waiting? Was it mostly demo by you or did everyone have a part to do? Any recommendations on how to make it successful?

]]> By: I Cook Because… « formerchef http://www.formerchef.com/2009/06/22/bread-and-wine-girls-night-out-how-to-bake-bread-class/#comment-169 I Cook Because… « formerchef Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:45:30 +0000 http://formerchef.com/?p=630#comment-169 [...] things like learning how to make bacon, how to make cheese, experimenting with vegan cooking, bread baking, or making ravioli from scratch. I love the act of taking something raw and creating something new [...] [...] things like learning how to make bacon, how to make cheese, experimenting with vegan cooking, bread baking, or making ravioli from scratch. I love the act of taking something raw and creating something new [...]

]]> By: formerchef http://www.formerchef.com/2009/06/22/bread-and-wine-girls-night-out-how-to-bake-bread-class/#comment-168 formerchef Sun, 24 Jan 2010 22:33:22 +0000 http://formerchef.com/?p=630#comment-168 Thank you Zoe for answering the question! Thank you Zoe for answering the question!

]]> By: Zoë François http://www.formerchef.com/2009/06/22/bread-and-wine-girls-night-out-how-to-bake-bread-class/#comment-167 Zoë François Sun, 24 Jan 2010 22:23:58 +0000 http://formerchef.com/?p=630#comment-167 Hi Kristin, I fell in love with Spelt flour while we were writing our second book Healthy Bread in Five Minutes a Day. The flavor is incredible. It has less gluten than regular whole wheat and therefore will make for a much wetter dough if you are just trying to replace spelt for whole wheat. You need to add some vital wheat gluten to boost the amount of protein, which will lighten up your dough. There are several recipes using spelt in the new book if you get a chance to check it out. Thanks for trying the method! Cheers, Zoë Hi Kristin,

I fell in love with Spelt flour while we were writing our second book Healthy Bread in Five Minutes a Day. The flavor is incredible. It has less gluten than regular whole wheat and therefore will make for a much wetter dough if you are just trying to replace spelt for whole wheat. You need to add some vital wheat gluten to boost the amount of protein, which will lighten up your dough. There are several recipes using spelt in the new book if you get a chance to check it out.

Thanks for trying the method! Cheers, Zoë

]]> By: formerchef http://www.formerchef.com/2009/06/22/bread-and-wine-girls-night-out-how-to-bake-bread-class/#comment-166 formerchef Sun, 24 Jan 2010 20:04:36 +0000 http://formerchef.com/?p=630#comment-166 You should consider contacting Zoe Francois, the book's author (she's on Twitter). She might have some ideas for you. Also, I think in her newest book, they have recipes with a lot of different flours, including many gluten free. You should consider contacting Zoe Francois, the book’s author (she’s on Twitter). She might have some ideas for you. Also, I think in her newest book, they have recipes with a lot of different flours, including many gluten free.

]]> By: Kristin http://www.formerchef.com/2009/06/22/bread-and-wine-girls-night-out-how-to-bake-bread-class/#comment-165 Kristin Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:48:41 +0000 http://formerchef.com/?p=630#comment-165 Thank you so much for the quick reply! My problem is that I'm using spelt flour. It worked in the beginning - when it rested in a basket and baked in a clay baker. But it seems to be getting wetter over time. I'm working on adding more flour and gluten to the mix. Hoping this will help. Thank you so much for confirming my suspicions - too darn wet! Thank you so much for the quick reply!

My problem is that I’m using spelt flour. It worked in the beginning – when it rested in a basket and baked in a clay baker. But it seems to be getting wetter over time. I’m working on adding more flour and gluten to the mix. Hoping this will help. Thank you so much for confirming my suspicions – too darn wet!

]]> By: formerchef http://www.formerchef.com/2009/06/22/bread-and-wine-girls-night-out-how-to-bake-bread-class/#comment-164 formerchef Sun, 24 Jan 2010 18:22:53 +0000 http://formerchef.com/?p=630#comment-164 Kristin-What you did (photo with link and explanation) is perfectly fine with me. As for the bread dough, it looks like it was too wet. Did you make sure to use unbleached flour? There's something about the gluten content of unbleached flour which makes the dough harder to handle. My first experience was also a fail because of this. I'm still making bread on a regular basis with the ABin5 method. Once you get it down it really is super easy. Kristin-What you did (photo with link and explanation) is perfectly fine with me.
As for the bread dough, it looks like it was too wet. Did you make sure to use unbleached flour? There’s something about the gluten content of unbleached flour which makes the dough harder to handle. My first experience was also a fail because of this.
I’m still making bread on a regular basis with the ABin5 method. Once you get it down it really is super easy.

]]> By: Kristin http://www.formerchef.com/2009/06/22/bread-and-wine-girls-night-out-how-to-bake-bread-class/#comment-163 Kristin Sun, 24 Jan 2010 18:14:12 +0000 http://formerchef.com/?p=630#comment-163 Thank you for showing me this can actually be done. I'm having trouble believing it, given my attempts! I linked to this page, and to one of your photos, on my family blog. http://thedandeliontrail.blogspot.com/2010/01/we-have-problem.html I'm concerned now I probably wasn't supposed to use your photo. Please let me know if this isn't kosher, and I will gladly take it down. Thank you for showing me this can actually be done. I’m having trouble believing it, given my attempts!

I linked to this page, and to one of your photos, on my family blog. http://thedandeliontrail.blogspot.com/2010/01/we-have-problem.html I’m concerned now I probably wasn’t supposed to use your photo. Please let me know if this isn’t kosher, and I will gladly take it down.

]]> By: Sometimes Dinner Really Is Just This Simple « formerchef http://www.formerchef.com/2009/06/22/bread-and-wine-girls-night-out-how-to-bake-bread-class/#comment-162 Sometimes Dinner Really Is Just This Simple « formerchef Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:14:33 +0000 http://formerchef.com/?p=630#comment-162 [...] salmon and some marinated artichokes. Add to that a loaf of freshly baked bread (buy it or make it yourself) and a good bottle of wine and you have a meal ready in 5 minutes. I love to eat this [...] [...] salmon and some marinated artichokes. Add to that a loaf of freshly baked bread (buy it or make it yourself) and a good bottle of wine and you have a meal ready in 5 minutes. I love to eat this [...]

]]>