Remember the loaves of bread I was baking? They did not turn out well for sandwich making. They did turn out well for croutons, or, bread crumbs however. Let me show you what I mean.
They should have looked like beautiful “hearth” loaves of bread; rectangular beauties, risen to about a three inch rise, with a beautiful medium browned crust. But, no! They are little batches of croutons, before anyone knew they were making croutons!
Let me tell you that I have been making the best croutons ever! Does this mean that I have made some not so beautiful loaves of bread recently?
Yes! Yes, that is exactly what that means. These days, I consider it a “learning experience”, because I am so much older now than when I started.
Nowadays, however, I am able to see that not every loaf of bread is going to be perfect; some, like the above photos, are visual proof. When one does not pay close enough attention to what one is doing, things happen that one does not anticipate, or, expect, or want!
Alas, that is exactly what happened to the bread in the photos. They over proofed, and were incapable of rising any further. Poor things. They did not line up to become croutons, but, by the lack of care from their maker, that is just what happened. That, or, the much dreaded, but never talked about, bread crumbs!
I enjoy baking bread more than just about anything that I do. Does it always work out the way I expect? Of course not. Every loaf, however good, or bad, is utilized. Nothing is discarded!
Well, not since the the very first loaf I of bread I made, that is. It was the most heart breaking, horrendous, inedible thing I have ever had the misfortune to have made. EVER! (Not withstanding the Mexican meatballs I made for Ivan the first month we were married! But that is another story all together!)
We do not discuss it. We do not refer to it in any way. I did not write about it here, either. If discussed in my presence, I will deny it ever existed! (It was, quickly, discarded, with much laughter, and only a few tears.)
While I get ready to make two loaves of stunning quality, stay happy, stay healthy, stay safe! Wash your hands, cover your mouth, and, protect your loved ones.