Fresh Bread

Does anything smell better than bread baking? Nope - nothing. And after a gloomy, chilly few days I decided that what my house needed was a nice loaf of freshly baked bread. Sounds like a great idea - except that I have never been able to execute a sucessful loaf of yeast-based bread. After several past attempts yielded a wheat brick, I came to the conclusion that, while I am a pretty good cook, I may not be cut out for baking. But that was years ago. Maybe another try is in order.

I got a recipe, followed it to the letter. I even broke out the thermometer. I was completely dedicated to NOT having a wheat-brick this time. And guess what - it worked! I didn't kill the yeast. It actually rose - twice. And it filled my house with the lovely smell of baking. Mission accomplished. But as my bread cooled all I could think was SANDWICHES. I WANT SANDWICHES. Not one sandwich. A variety of sandwiches. Here's what I made:

Turkey & Brie melt with spicy olive tapanade

Roast Beef & Sharp Cheddar melt with balsamic caramelized onions & horseradish sauce

Tarragon Chicken Salad

BLT

It was a sandwich weekend. Of the four above, my favorite was the Roast Beef & Cheddar sandwich. The onions made it. But my favorite use of the bread was not even a sandwich - it was the first slice, hot and buttered and perfect.

My successful loaf has inspired me to keep baking. I'm going to try some different recipes, make up some new sandwiches - my house will smell fantastic.