The Bread Baker’s Apprentice, Anadama Bread
Peter Reinhart’s book, The Bread Baker’s Apprentice, caught my eye months ago as I perused the aisles of my favorite bookstore. I remember grabbing it off of the shelf, flipping it’s pages and then returning it to the shelf. I would continue on in the browsing mode for a couple of hours, but I would return to this book twice again, before heading out the door, book in hand.
I knew I needed something to bide my time and my energies, yet little did I know that within this very week my need would become so urgent. I was about to discover how important a foray into an all-consuming endeavor could prove beneficial for ones own mental health.
Yes. This is serious stuff. It contains my personal formula for survival. It is my Alpha and my Omega. My beginning to an end, and my return back from it.
In the preceding summer, June, to be exact, our family would learn the news that our beloved kitty-cat, Whippie-Nippy, was suffering a horrible health crisis. (This was also about the time that many others would learn of the pet food contamination’s.) His vital organs were being battered by something unknown. Tests were run, medications, both oral and intravenous were administered, but sadly, in the first week of October of 2007, we would need to let this little guy head Homeward, releasing him from here, and granting him: rainbows, sunshine, and sweet breezes of his, Alpha and Omega.
My bread dough was touched by an angel, and every time I make bread I remember just where the powers of alignment were, and are, in my universe. During the weeks of his passing I kneaded bread daily. I threw myself with wild abandon into the pursuits of sourdough discoveries. I did it with the aid of Peter Reinhart’s, The Bread Baker’s Apprentice.
My advice to anyone being challenged:
Find something to immerse yourself within, set a personal goal, fixed not upon someone else’s expectations, but your own. This journey belongs to you. Celebrate it!
(I wish you the very best.)
*I’d like to give thanks to Nicole, www.PinchMySalt.com for setting forth this challenge. At last read, she had over 200 folks accepting her request. Each week we will be posting about our bakes. I hope to keep up with the pack, but if I don’t, I’ll post my bake as quickly as I can. I love the fact that this time I will not be crying my eyes out! I’m in the midst of a wonderful network of challengers.
Anadama Bread
CoffeeGrounded's Blog 
The Artos is going to be another great challenge. I was going to put mine together today, but unexpected company arrived. PR tells us that the barm will be good for up to three days…I’m pushing the envelope tomorrow. ;)
Thanks so much for visiting my blog. Happpy baking!
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Looks great! I love the round loaf. Looking forward to Artos!
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Bee, thanks for your compliment. I loved making this bread. I first tried my hand at it over a year ago, and I remember serving it with a whipped maple butter. The pantry was minus the maple so we are eating it, as is this go-round. I need to add to my collection and PR Whole Grains is the next book on my list.
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gorgeous. i have been meaning to try this from “whole grain breads” by peter reinhart which uses whole wheat. i love cornmeal in breads.
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Your breads look beautiful. Sorry to hear about your kitty.
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Lovely looking bread Margie. And it’s nice to be baking along side another Margie (my real name)
Also, having been through the death of a pet just a few years back, I want to give you a big hug. It’s tough, isn’t it.
Keep up the good work!
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