The Daring Bakers is a group of bloggers who are very passionate about baking. Every month they take on a challenge set by one member of the group, and the recipe has to be followed to the T except for few allowed modifications. Each member posts the recipe for the completed challenge on the same day, like today.
Why am I talking about the Daring Bakers, well it so happens I am one now! I joined them this month and this is my first challenge.
What makes this group very interesting is that with over 450+ DBers(that’s what we call ourselves) from all over the world, each person’s outcome from the very same recipe is worth waiting for.
The challenge for the month of February was “French Bread” provided by Breadchick Mary( The Sour Dough) and Sara (I Like to Cook). When I first read the recipe (which was 14 pages long including the introduction) I almost lost it! I thought I would never be able to get past the first few steps. Then I read the recipe over and over, and over again. With every reading I felt more confident and stronger within. It really wasn’t as bad as it looked.
French Bread
(From Mastering the Art of French Cooking: Volume Two by Julia Child and Simone Beck)
1 package dry active yeast (7gr)
1/3 cup (75ml) warm water (not over 100F/38C)
3 ½ cups unbleached All purpose flour (leveled)
2 ¼ tsp Salt
1 ¼ Cups Water @ 70-74F/ 21-23C
Method: (All instructions are for by hand)
Knead rapidly for 5 – 10 minutes. Let dough rest for 3 – 4 minutes. Knead by hand for a minute. The surface should now look smooth; the dough will be less sticky but will still remain soft. It is now ready for its first rise. Place dough in a lightly greased mixing bowl, cover with plastic and a folded towel. Let rise for 3-4 hours till dough has tripled in volume.
Slash top of each dough with a sharp razor. 3 slashes for the Batard and two or more on the Boule. This helps create designs on the loaves while they are baking. I should remember to use a sharper knife the next time. :)
As soon as the dough has been slashed, moisten the surface either by painting with a soft brush dipped in cold water, and slide the baking sheet onto rack in upper third of preheated oven. The bread should be done in about 25 minutes; the crust will be crisp, and the bread will make a hollow sound when thumped.
It took me 10 hours to finally dig into a slice of bread, the efforts were definitely well worth it. While the loaves were baking, the entire house was filled with the heavenly aroma of freshly baked bread….I had never thought I would ever smell bread in my house. The bread was very tasty, the crust was a little too crispy for my liking, but the interiors were perfect-- soft and light.
I’m extremely pleased that this challenge worked out for me. I’m certainly looking forward to the coming challenges!
Wasn't it wonderful? It was a great challenge. You got so many nice shapes. I wasn't so daring but next time will do the other shapes.
ReplyDeletewow!! looks gorgeous...congrats on completing the daring baker's challenge....the aroma of baking bread is unmatched!!
ReplyDeleteWOW!! What a great recipe challenge. I am thinking I should join but I may not make it on time every month,this is way different from other events!:))
ReplyDeleteGreat job Namratha, enjoy. Great to garlic bread, Bruschettas too!Have a great weekend!:)
Namratha..Its great that you are taking up some challenging task and completing it. kudos to D bers!
ReplyDeleteLove the smell of baking bread!! Looks wonderful! :)
ReplyDeletewow this looks gorgeous Namratha !! Congratulations on baking your wonderful French sticks and for joining the Daring Bakers.
ReplyDeleteRosie x
Congratulations Namratha.. A 14 page recipe you say?? Wow!! Kudos to you... the breads look great.
ReplyDeleteBtw, I tried your salsa verde recipe to make enchiladas last night and we loved it. Thank you so much for a great, simple recipe.
Interesting story, gr8 challenge and an amazing recipe.. Never i have even thought of trying them at home...
ReplyDelete450+ DBers?! wow!
ReplyDeleteYou certainly did a good job on your 1st challenge.
I could never be one of those DB's!
It sure was Vanel, I enjoyed every bit of it! Oh do try the shapes next time...
ReplyDeleteThanks Arundati, glad to have you over:)
Oh you have a whole month to complete the challenge Asha dear, you bake a lot too so you should join...its fun! :)
Thanks Lavanya:)
Thanks Kalai:)
Thanks Rosie dear:)
Thanks Laavanya, yup dear..it was one long recipe with instructions, I still can't believe I got through this one. Glad you liked the salsa verde:)
Thanks Anu:)
Oh yeah T, there really is so many of us in the group :D Thanks dear :)
Such a fun challenge, wasn't it? I loved it too. Well done on your first bread!
ReplyDeleteGood job! Welcome to the Daring Bakers from a seasoned veteran ... OK, that was a slight exaggeration ... that this was my second challenge!
ReplyDeleteGreat Bread! Your loaves look delicious!
ReplyDeleteKiller loaves! The texture looks just fantastic!!
ReplyDeleteNamratha, your breads look wonderful...congrats on getting them so well done and welcome to the group...I had to give it a miss due to other engagements...it does need undivided attention...will try to take it up sometime...I really wanted to make it :-(
ReplyDeletegreat job! congrats on your 1st DB challenge and esp your first bread :)
ReplyDeleteYou did a great job making your different shapes breads! Congratulations on completing your first DB challenge!
ReplyDeletelooks good and must taste good too! Love yours! well done!
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the DBs. Your first challenge has certainly gone very well.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your first challenge - your loaves look great!
ReplyDeleteits such a pleasure to see the DBs every month with their posts :) the shapes have come out so well for you! :)
ReplyDeleteIt's great to see how different the bread looks with the same recipe! Well done
ReplyDeleteUlrike from Küchenlatein
You managed to make such lovely shapes...too good
ReplyDeleteYour bread looks delicious! Welcome to the Daring Bakers!
ReplyDeleteThere's certainly nothing like the smell of freshly baked bread, wafting through the entire house! :)
ReplyDeleteExcellent job on your bread.
ReplyDeleteThanks for baking with Sara and I
Congratulations on your first challenge!
ReplyDeleteIt sure was Suzana, thank you very much! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Tracy...oh you sure are seasoned alright, one challenge senior :D
Thanks Brine:)
Thanks Cakespy:)
Thanks Sunita...oh yes dear, it does take up a lot of time...hope to see it on your blog sometime in the future :) You have been an inspiration and I have been reading your past challenges as well.
Thanks Jaime:)
Thank you very much Gretchen, glad you stopped by:)
Thanks Big Boys :)
Thank you Aparna, glad you stopped by:)
thanks Nemmie:)
Thanks Nags:) I'm looking forward to the next one!
So true ostwestwind..thank you very much!:)
Thanks E:)
Thank you Mary:)
Yup Y...it was heavenly!:)
Thanks Breadchick, it was my pleasure..thank you for a lovely challenge:)
Thank you Lunch buckets:)
Lovely job!
ReplyDeleteGreat bread namratha! :)
ReplyDeleteCngrats on your first challenge!
ReplyDeleteLooks great namratha, congrats on becoming a daring baker...:)
ReplyDeletegreat job on the breads!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the comment on my blog! I have to say your slashes look beautiful, though... :-)
ReplyDeleteHooray for Daring Bakers newbies - and congrats on your lovely first bread!
Thanks Brines, Coco, JigginJessica and Sara :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Sig and Rachel! :)
Thanks Astra, was my pleasure to stop by your blog :)