Episode 2: Bread Making

Recently I started training for my first marathon in December.  With that, I decided to start eating a little healthier by not eating out, cutting back on the amount of chicken/beef that I eat, and not eating any foods high in sugar or prepared foods.  This means that I must spend a lot more time in the kitchen preparing my own meals and making almost everything from scratch.  Today I started out by making three different types of bread.

Bread 1: White Breakfast Bread
This will replace having to purchase loaves of bread from the store.  Mine is much healthier and tastier!

Recipe:

One (1 1/2-pound) Loaf
1 1/4 cups water
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons Dry Milk
3 3/4 cups Bread Flour
1 1/2 teaspoons instant yeast

Bread 2: Mini Picnic Rolls
These will be used for lunch with sandwich meat or as a side with dinner.  They have cornmeal in them, which makes them very dense and gritty.  Very tasty and goes well with soups.

Recipe:

Yields around 24 Rolls
2 2/3 cups Bread Flour
1/3 cup cornmeal
2 teaspoons instant yeast dissolved in 1 tablespoon warm water
3 tablespoons sugar
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
4 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup Dry Milk
1/4 cup dried potato flakes
1 cup water

Bread 3: Soft Pretzels
Of course these will be used as desert with dinner! Unfortunately I will be eating these without any toppings, such as my favorite, Cinnamon Sugar!

Recipe:

Yields 12 Pretzels
1 1/2 cups water
1 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1 cup bread flour
3 cups flour
Dip-In Before Baking:
2 cups water
2 tablespoons baking soda

Here's to healthier eating and strong training!