Friday, February 29, 2008

Julia Child's French Bread: Rise for Me?

"Feeeed me, Seymour," screamed the yeast in my poor, thin little batard. I looked down at its pale, dessicated visage and cringed. But then I took a bite, and all was well again.

The Daring Bakers, a group of men and women (and by group I mean there are hundreds of 'em) get together every month to bake the same recipe, chat about the process and post the results on their blogs. I started my blog specifically so that I could become one of these amazing women.

Of course I had to start on the month they decided to follow a fifteen page recipe: Julia Child's French Bread. You can imagine, what with a fifteen page recipe, that it might be time-consuming. You imagine correctly, dear Reader. It took me about eight hours--from first rise to first bite--and though I struggled to get my little yeast to rise for me--which, sadly, the didn't end up doing in as impressive a way as I'd hoped--it turned out pretty damn good.

So, having completed that gargantuan task, and after struggling through the question of how to properly knead the bread and exactly how I was to keep the fire alarm to stop ringing every time I opened the oven to spritz the loaves with water, I'm officially a Daring Baker!

I cannot wait until next month!

Julia Child's French Bread
(for the recipe, click here...if you dare!)





Yay!




Love and Cookies,
Kay

8 comments:

L Vanel said...

Dear Kay, your bread looks like it not only tasted great, but was also nourishing for the soul. Kudos to you from another newbie Daring Baker!

Jerry said...

Hello newbie! It looks lovely, great job!

Beth G. @SweetLifeKitchen said...

Great job & congrats on joining the Daring Bakers!! Your bread looks great :O)

Gretchen Noelle said...

Wonderful bread loaves! Congratulations on completing your first DB challenge. Welcome to the Daring bakers!

javagirlkt's cookin' said...

Very lovely bread :) Just remember that it's not ALL women in the daring bakers, let's not forget our guy members as well!!

breadchick said...

Welcome to Daring Bakers

Your first challenge looks very nice indeed.

thanks for baking with Sara and I

Unknown said...

Welcome to the Daring Bakers! You did great for your first challenge - no backing down or running!

Lunch Buckets said...

You did it! Congratulations :)