What is it that is homemade and totally melts your heart? Something that has a special place in your heart. For me, it is the smell of homemade bread in the kitchen, the warm bread in my hands, a piece of butter melting on it. How about that?
In France, a baker is called an Artisan Boulanger. Artisan is someone that creates with their hand, a skilled person. In fact, making bread is not that easy and there are sooo many different ones.
I managed to make a pretty good one that I am sure your family will love having on the table. I made individual balls, one on each hand of the table, so everybody gets a piece. It was enough for 2 adults and the 2 young kids.
I made it the other day for a family dinner and got the bread out of the oven just in time for the plateau de fromage, the cheese platter. The brie in the warm bread was just a delight.
That day, the feedback on the bread was that it was missing a little salt, so I worked on the recipe and found the right balance. I made this recipe before as well with a handful of walnuts, I loved it! I would go wonderful with cheese too.
Although I own a Kitchenaid, I did it by hand. I did try with it once but the batch is too small. If you are planning on doubling the recipe, it would be worth getting your KitchenAid on.
The kneading took about 10 minutes while I was chatting with the kids and asking them about their day. It went by quickly. I left it to raise an hour before transferring it to the oven.
Making bread from scratch is a real talent and skills. I want to work on a nice baguette recipe now.
Those little bread balls are not too dense and have a nice crunchy crust but not hard! I had to make a special batch to take a picture, then I am guessing that it is good!
With respect to all the Artisan Boulanger that get up so early, in France, to offer an authentic and rustic bread to all their customers. I miss going to buy my baguette and munching on it on my way home... The simple things of life.
On that nostalgic note, the recipe!
Bread
Ingredients
- 250 g or 2 cups of all purpose flour
- 2 tablespoon or 16g of olive oil
- 2 teaspoon or 8g of salt
- 2 teaspoon or 8g instant yeast
- 120 ml of warm water
Instructions
- In a bowl, place the flour like a volcano and make a little hole in it.
- Put the yeast and 20ml of water and let it sit 5 minutes.
- Add the salt and the olive oil.
- Add the rest of the water and mix until to get a non sticky dough.
- Knead for 10 minutes.
- Cut the dough into 2 equal pieces, roll and a ball and place it on a slightly dusted with flour baking sheet.
- Let it raise for 1 hour.
- Bake it in the oven at 390F for 20-25 minutes or when the bread reaches a nice golden color.
Helen @ Scrummy Lane says
Oh, Melanie, I spent a year in France when I was studying and I remember people walking down the street eating the end off their fresh baguette! I always thought that was a little strange but cute at the same time!
Your bread looks perfect in the pictures, Melanie ... it definitely looks as if you perfected it! :-)
Mélanie says
Merci Helen! I do miss going to the Boulangerie for a warm baguette :) it is indeed really French! Where about in France did you spend your year?
Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic says
Now I totally want sokme brie and a warm fresh bread roll! Good job with these!
Mélanie says
Thank you so much Bianca! Brie and warm bread is the best combo... with wine too :)