Monday, December 10, 2007

Winter Bread Baking

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What is it about winter and bread? Like so many bloggers, I have also been baking bread. I am obsessed with learning to bake sourdough bread a la Zingermanns or Acme bread. My grandson is usually appreciative of my efforts. I do not quite have the crisp crust and large holes inside figured out yet and my efforts are very inconsistant. This seems to have been a relatively good one. We'll see when it cools.
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These are some sourdough cheese rolls. They just came out of the freezer so they look a little funny. I just pop them in the oven and reheat them and good as new. They are made with Asiago and Gruyere cheese. Crisp cheese on the bottom-yum. These I can do. The recipes for the sourdough bread and cheese rolls are in the cookbook below.
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I love this book so much that I keep two copies- just in case something happens to one of them!
Did I mention obsessive? The Cheese Board is in Berkeley, California. They have outstanding breads and pizza. They are really known for their cheeses though, and have a huge selection. They also have an interesting pricing arrangement and you get a discount for being over 65, and a bigger discount the older you get. Cheese Board is located right across the street from Chez Panisse. If you ever get to San Francisco area it's a great place for foodies. The line at lunchtime for pizza is pretty long but worth waiting for.

11 comments:

Julie said...

Yummo!!! OM Gosh - that looks so good!

Anonymous said...

That looks awsome. My son is the bread baker here. I do love to eat it though.

Cindy Garber Iverson said...

Well, you ask about the connection between winter and bread. Actually, complex carbs help the brain to produce more seratonin so we feel better. It makes sense that we naturally crave great bread in the winter months when we're suffering from lack of sun (sun also helps us cope mood-wise). So there's your little factoid for the day. ;) So now that I've read your post, I want to go eat some bread. Cindy at Rosehaven Cottage

Cindy Garber Iverson said...

Well, you ask about the connection between winter and bread. Actually, complex carbs help the brain to produce more seratonin so we feel better. It makes sense that we naturally crave great bread in the winter months when we're suffering from lack of sun (sun also helps us cope mood-wise). So there's your little factoid for the day. ;) So now that I've read your post, I want to go eat some bread. Cindy at Rosehaven Cottage

Susie Q said...

Okay, NOW I want some bread...cheesy bread. Wow but these look yummy!

Hugs,
Sue

Mary said...

Oh, that looks wonderful! I've been making a lot of focaccia lately -- bad for the waistline but great for the psyche!
xoxo,
mary

Anonymous said...

Yummy! your bread looks gorgeous and has made me hungry.
Kristina x

Unknown said...

Bring on the BREAD! Yummy! I am such a bread eater! OOOOOO and the cheese too! BREAD & CHEESE!!! There is nothing better than that!

Sue said...

Stephanie,
Your bread looks delicious.
Hugs,
Sue

Cheryl said...

Pictures of your break has me wanting to bake! That cheese bread really is call to me!

Elle Jay Bee said...

Well, that's it: you've inspired me to go make a loaf of homemade bread! I have been thinking of doing so for a few days, and the yummy pictures of that bread is just the kick in the pants I needed!!

Merry Christmas to you and your family!!

Linda
xox