l o v e l y t h i n g s



10.30.2011

toast & jam + home made bread

I found an old cookbook that my husband and I received many years ago.  In 1993 I had no interest in making bread.  It seemed far too time consuming and involved staying around the house all day.  Now, that's exactly what I love about making bread.  Luckily the book, The Il Fornaio Baking Book is a beautiful black bound book so when we moved it made the cut.  The author, Franco Galli writes the recipes in a way that seems like he's right there talking you through it.  My first attempt was a Pagnotta, a round country bread.  When kneading the dough he says, "This will take 15 or 20 minutes of kneading, including some 1 - to 2-minute rest periods along the way for the dough to relax slightly ~ and for you to relax, too." 
I need to work on shaping the dough. . .
right out of the oven . . .


23 comments:

  1. Just wonderful - there´s nothing like freshly baked bread! :-)

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  2. there are v few luxuries greater to me than freshly baked bread and homemade jam. luckily for me, i have them both every morning. annie, your pictures are just amazing these days. whatever you are doing, keep it up!

    xo
    janet

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  3. Mmh, it looks delicious! I love freshly baked bread! xxx

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  4. I only ever have homemade bread too, oh I second what Janet said, your photographs are quite stunning.

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  5. I love homemade bread but I'm convinced there is an art to it. My husband is a very talented baker, but all of my attempts at baking bread have fallen short of my expectations.

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  6. This looks delicious...
    I can only imagine how wonderful your home smelled when the bread was in the oven cooking. BTW your use of light in the middle image is exceptional.

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  7. This looks AMAZING!!!

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  8. Your Pagnotta bread coupled with the Roasted Root Vegetable soup will be a super supper for a chilly Chicago Halloween night!!!

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  9. That must smell so good when it comes freshly out of the oven! Looks yum! Stop by, Im having a giveaway :)

    Barbara

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  10. Gorgeous loaves. There was/is an Il Fornaio bakery where I used to live - Tiburon, in Marin County. I wonder if the book is related to it.

    xo, A

    P.S. I LOVE my Glassybaby :)

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  11. Congratulations! I have yet to make homemade bread. That is one of my next hurdles! I'm scared of the whole yeast thing!

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  12. I just finished perusing through your last few posts ... your mouthwatering images are just beautiful - great photography!

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  13. Annie! Where is the recipe? I think I have that book--we have family ties to Il Fornaio. I have many fond memories of their delicious bread for breakfast and your picture brought back the memories and a craving for this simple breakfast.

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  14. hello Annie:
    Oh to have a slice of this most delicious looking bread. Your house must be filled with its loveliness every time you make it and, to partner it with homemade jam, a food fit for Kings and Queens!

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  15. This is a must do for November. Baby steps;)

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  16. Looks yummy......... Your photography is gorgeous! Next, you will have to try your hand at homemade jam!

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  17. I have never tried to make homemade bread, and I have no idea why! Yours looks yummy.
    Happy Halloween
    xo
    Ashlyn

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  18. nothing beats the smell and taste of homemade bread!
    this looks lovely especially with jam.
    always wanted to try homemade bread your images have just made my mind up!

    Abigail x

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  19. I'm so jealous Annie---not only have you made incredible bread, but you've photographed it stunningly. Il Fornaio was probably the first place my husband and I discovered when we moved to LA! You formed the bread perfectly---it's a rustic bread and you wouldn't want it perfectly round. I can just smell it!!!

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  20. You are my hero...fresh bread with jam and a cup of coffee...what could be better.

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  21. It looks delicious!! It seems the perfect bread to me! Well done!

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  22. Those loaves are absolutely stunning!! I'm craving some freshly baked bread and jam now. Must bake a loaf tomorrow.

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  23. Yum Annie!! Like Jacquelyn, beadmaking has always seemed too tricky... But you've inspired me to give it a go...

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