it's cool enough to bake a loaf of bread

[fizzgig]

storm rolled in mid afternoon, it's been mid 60s and we got some steady rain for a bit and it sprinkled off and on all evening. it's finally below 80 in the apartment, so i'm taking the opportunity to run the oven.

i've got a batch of mini bell peppers roasting right now, the bread will go in later and will be followed by a batch of almonds. i'm going to have to keep a close eye on my husband if he gets home before the bread is cooled, he has a particular weakness for it.

tomorrow i've got cake bars and asparagus bacon salad to make for a party we're going to in the afternoon and steak for sandwiches for sunday dinner. the cucumber, tomato and red onion salad will go into the fridge tonight.

cooking is one of my favorite things to do, but it's been too hot to really do much lately and it soothes me to be able to get a bit done.

the burn area got some good rain today, but mudslides closed the highway in the canyon and they're under a flash flood warning until tomorrow night. i know the river is black. but we knew this was part of the whole deal. it's sad, but i can't do anything to change it.

i'm sitting on the porch right now, sipping a hard cider and enjoying the cool, anticipating the smell of fresh bread. the husband and i get a full day off together tomorrow, a rare occurrence.

life is good.

[texanwitch]

1. I buy the frozen bread dough, I like it.

Sort of homade.

Never to hot for fresh bread.

[fizzgig]

2. i only started baking my own in the last six months

at least a loaf a week until the heat hit. i'm poorly-equipped for it and the thought of running the oven when it was 85+ inside just made me feel ill.

if i time it right, i can get a couple loaves before it gets hot again.

always good to see you, tw

[texanwitch]

3. The frozen bread dough is really good.

I am to lazy to make my own bread.

Good for you that you are doing it.

[fizzgig]

4. it's so soothing to me

and the bread i make is so easy, maybe ten minutes of actual work involved. i'd be too lazy otherwise

[irisblue]

6. 10 minutes?

would you share your recipe?

[fizzgig]

7. no knead bread is perfect for lazy people like me

i started with this recipe from the ny times. you let it rise overnight and bake it in an oven safe, lidded vessel. i use my enameled dutch oven and this is what the wonderful posters in c&b suggested i start with. super easy.

if you want it same day, i halve this recipe and make one big loaf. pretty much same recipe, just more yeast. this is the one i'm doing tonight. i've always baked it in my dutch oven same as the other one, but i finally have a metal pan and am going to give it a shot on the pizza stone.

requires patience, but well worth it.

[turtlerescue1]

5. Am drooling, I can smell it bakingmmmmmmm.

[fizzgig]

8. moving a bit slowly tonight

just fired up the oven, it'll be in the oven in 30 minutes or so. gonna have to stay up late to get a fresh slice, but i don't care

[CaliforniaPeggy]

9. That just sounds wonderful, my dear fizzgig!

I'm glad that your life is soooo good!