Simple Ingredients For The New Year
Flour. Yeast. Water. Salt.
Four simple ingredients. The very basics of a pantry and in many ways, life itself. For centuries people have worked with and cherished these four staples. Separate, these items seem simplistic. When combined, they create a special kind of happiness and peace. They generate emotions, often making us think back to special events or even the comfort of the most ordinary day.
I think that is what I am seeking, simple comfort. 2023 was a very challenging year for us as a family, a business and for me as a person trying to figure out who I want to be “when I grow up.” The year started simple enough, but when Chad dealt with a very serious health concern it was a powerful reminder of how even the strongest among us still are so fragile. Thankfully he bounced back and while we finally figured out the autoimmune condition responsible for wreaking havoc on his body, it has been an adjustment. We continue to work through the changes, aging is hard but it has helped us find perspective in our marriage and the goals we have for the future.
As a family we found the greatest joy in the birth of our beautiful granddaughter, Cecilia. People have told me that the role of a grandparent is stunningly beautiful. I was completely unprepared for this incredible kind of love. Her smile and giggles light up a room and it is incredible to watch our son bloom into a beautiful father. On this family front, we could not be any more blessed and that feels good.
The farm. Oh the farm. It has been a year of trials. We are trying to figure out the best way to stay true to who we are as a family and the mission we set forth to deliver. Financially it is incredibly hard to be a very small fish in a huge pond. The costs associated with what we do continue to rise and despite our best efforts to reach more people and have a consistent source of income, the inconsistent nature of producing a perishable item continues to be really tough. I am not a business person, personally I hate numbers, the inventory, and figuring out how to make it all work. We had incredible help in making a beautiful website and while it has streamlined things, the challenges remain the same. Some days I consider throwing in the towel, just going back to the very basics and only raising what we need for our family. It would be less pressure but it would also mean a loss of connections, ones that I am not ready to give up. So, hopefully this next year brings more clarity and consistency.
Now getting back to four of my favorite things - flour, yeast, water, and salt. I make all of my bread by hand, no fancy mixer, no proofing drawer or exciting gadgets. Just those ingredients, my grandmother’s wooden spoon and my hands.
If you have not made bread before I strongly encourage you to start with a no-knead recipe. They are so easy and if you have a Dutch Oven, you will not fail! No-knead breads are rustic and hearty, they are perfect with a bowl of soup or chili, sliced and toasted with a healthy dose of jam.
Use a really good flour, always unbleached. If I am not milling my own wheat flour then I stick with King Arthur All Purpose or Bread Flour, either will work just fine in any no-knead recipe. After baking, never wrap your bread in foil, it will create an off flavor for the bread. It’s best to wrap it in parchment paper. Remember, there are ZERO preservatives in this bread so it will be very perishable. Homemade bread does not have a shelf life, it is meant to be enjoyed in a short period of time.
Flour
Yeast
Water
Salt
These are the answers to the questions I have. They are basic, simple and beautiful. All of the things I want out of life. The older I get the less need I have for extravagant things, the more I crave the routine and ease that comes with activities such as baking bread. The answers I seek will come, they will bring change with them and I am ready to welcome a new horizon.
Happy New Year. May your lives be filled with the simple beauty of happiness and peace. Bake the bread, play the game, eat the dinner and laugh together. Find joy in the moments with those you love.
Much Love,
Jody
No Knead Bread
3 cups of all-purpose or bread flour (aerate the flour by mixing with a whisk before measuring)
½ tablespoon dry, active yeast
1 teaspoon salt
1 ½ cups of very warm water (110-115 degrees) with 1 teaspoon of sugar or honey dissolved in the water
Add the yeast to the warm water and mix well, set aside for 5-10 minutes. It should get nice and foamy, if not then your yeast is no longer living. Combine the flour and salt together, then add the water and yeast mixture. Stir together until well combined and there is very little flour left in the bowl. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and set in a warm place (in the oven with the oven light on works well). Allow to rise about 3 hours, it should nearly double in size and will be covered in bubbles.
Remove from the bowl to a lightly floured surface, sprinkle the top with a bit of flour. Then you will fold the dough over on itself 10 to 12 times as you shape it into a round. Take a sheet of parchment paper and place inside a large bowl, place the round dough on the paper and then cover again and let rise for 30 minutes. While the second rise is happening, take your Dutch Oven and put into the oven and preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
Once the 30 minute rise is up, take the parchment paper with the bread dough on it and place inside the Dutch Oven. Return to the oven with the lid on. Bake for 30 minutes. Then remove the bread and parchment paper from the pot, return the bread to the pot and bake uncovered for another 10-15 minutes until it is a beautiful golden brown. Cool on a rack for at least 15 minutes before slicing.
