Yeast—My Rise to Better Bread!

I used to envy my friend Jean.  She can bake bread—and always wonderful breads!  She can stick her finger under the water and tell if it’s hot enough to proof the yeast.  She baked most of the rolls and crescent’s for my wedding!  They were heavenly.  I used a thermometer to measure the temperature of the water—then slowly measured everything else our perfectly.  I have never baked so many brick like breads in my life!!!  Then, things changed.

I took an artesian bread class at the Metropolitan Culinary Institute.  I figured, if you really want to learn, go to the best.  Besides—Jean is very patient—and doesn’t deserve to be tortured by me.  It was the best experience.  I learned the science behind bread—how it rose and why.  Why things didn’t turn out and how to use correct measurements to make whatever type of bread you wanted to.  I learned how to not be afraid of yeast!  I baked for 11 weeks in class.  I made 9 grain breads, and all sorts of ethnic breads.  I baked rolls and crescent’s to die for.  They didn’t all turn out perfectly—but butter always helped!  I had a new freedom to bake with wild abandon—yeast was no longer my nemesis!

Why did I want to learn to bake bread you ask?  My Mom is a terrific baker.  I do not remember anything of hers being brick-like.  The smell of bread baking, and a fresh hot slice out of the oven was the best!  I want to give this memory to my kids—and my husband is ecstatic—he loves bread as much as I do!  So—be not afraid—yeast is not evil!  Try this recipe of my Mom’s (it’s really from Fleishmann’s, but my Mom gave it to me!).  It makes cinnamon rolls, or you can delete the cinnamon roll cinnamon part and make 12 dinner rolls out of it.   These rolls are my families favorites and are always served at holiday meals.  I serve them whenever I get a chance to.  Yummy!!!!  Come join the fun at the My Baking Addiction and GoodLife Eats Holiday Recipe Swap sponsored by Red Star Yeast.

Check out the following link to BreadWorld.com for the recipe. http://www.breadworld.com/Recipe.aspx?id=194