Happy Saturday all.
I made the most of Andy being home to make us some lovely bread for lunch (I don’t think it lasts that well and in the week I would not eat it all by myself!).
I used pretty much the same recipe as the cinnamon and raisin bread that I have posted on here before.
I like to activate the dry yeast first- most recipes say it is not neccessary but I find it gets better results. So first up I put around 90/100ml warm water in a cup, and add in a handful (15-25g) raisins and a tsp yeast. Leave it to bubble a bit, for around ten mins. I like to soak the raisins first because then they plump up, and also are less likely to catch in the oven I find.
In another bowl weigh out 150g strong plain bread flour (I did half white and half wholemeal) and add in your spices. I used cinnamon, cloves and mixed spice. Tip in the yeast mixture and stir for a bit, then put into a board and knead for 5-10 mins. It might be craggy at first but it will come together.
Then put back in the bowl and cover- leave for an hour. I would usually use some rapeseed oil in the bowl to stop it sticking, but I had run out, so I melted a tsp coconut oil and used that instead.
Once it has doubled in size, tip it back out and knead for a bit- at this stage I added in some shredded coconut (not much, maybe 15g?) and some pumpkin seeds for crunch. Again, maybe 10/15g. Once it is all incorporated in the dough, put it in the loaf tin. It needs to be left for another hour, so it will rise again.
Preheat the oven to 200C, and then bake for 35 mins.
Leave to cool for a bit before slicing, otherwise it won’t cut very well.
Then spread with whatever you love the most and enjoy. I had one with rainforest nut butter, and one with a little coconut oil and some apple and mango jam. Delish.
Next time I would use more coconut, but I had hardly any left in the packet!
Bread making always gets bad press I think, but I never find it that much work. The worst bit it all the waiting around while it rises (makes it harder to make if you are at work, although I have made the dough in the evening and left in the fridge overnight as it really slows down the yeast, and means that if you get it out of the fridge and put it in the loaf tin as soon as you get home from work, it is ready to be baked about an hour later (so enough time for a run/ gym class etc). So, give it a go 🙂
Anyway, today for the waiting I alternated between watching some football and reading this book:
The lovely Lara sent it to me- it is getting me all enthusiastic about running- there will be no stopping me once I am better. I feel like I will be back to square one (eg one min run, one min walk) once I am well enough to run again, and I know I did it once so I should be able to do it again, but this book is helping me see that I will make it again. Plus it is giving me a lot to giggle about 🙂 So thanks Lara. 🙂
I have also been enjoying lots of cups of tea, including this tasty drink:
Raspberry and strawberry rooibos tea. Because it is loose leaf tea I get to use my tea infuser thing too. 🙂
Also I found this photo on my camera- so enjoy. It was a lunch from in the week- I think I suddenly realised I was hungry and so it was shoved together with the things I could find the quickest- sunflower ryvitas with baby avocado/ rocket and caramelised onion hummus (the hardest thing to eat!), cucumber, grapes, apple.
And this is a random question- (if you drink tea) do you take the teabag out before you drink it? Laura mentioned that she leaves the teabag in, but the idea of having the teabag accidently touch my teeth/ lips really freaks me out. Often on TV shows now (often Modern Family) the people will be drinking tea, and they like to show it is tea by having the label hanging out of the cup, but I hate that idea. Even if I get a tea in Starbucks or somewhere I will take the bag out (but I suppose with black tea if you leave it in too long you get that “stewed” taste). Andy always laughs at me for this (at home he would take it out, but out and about he would not be bothered so leaves it in which is fine unless we share a cup!). So- teabag in or out?
PS Now I have the hokey cokey in my head.
Depends on what kind of tea it is. If it’s herbal, I leave it in. If it’s black tea, I take it out after a few minutes, but that’s just because it gets so bitter if it stays in too long.
I’m curious about the book!
Hahaha the hokey cokey 🙂
Glad you are enjoying the book, it’s a good giggle. And just remember your body will strengthen quicker and your recovery won’t be as long as you think it will be – just focus of getting better xx
If its a herbal tea or possibly a chai tea I’ll leave it in, if its black or green tea, I will take it out! Depends how strong I want it really!
Goodness, no – I HAVE to get the teabag out about 30 seconds after it’s been immersed in the hot water. That ‘stewed’ taste is just something I can’t stand.
I’m glad you had some nice reading material to enjoy 🙂 I know you’ll have a brilliant comeback, and I hope for you that it comes sooner rather than later <3
xxx
Haha such a random question 😛 I’m with most of the other commenters it seems… If I’m having green, fruit or herbal teas then I’m not fussed & usually leave the tea bag in (providing its not too strong) but if it’s black tea then I’d definitely take it out.
I love the look of that bread you made. I just love fruity cinnamon flavours & imagine this would be amazing warm from the oven with nut butter, jam and a big cup of tea…mmm. I think I might bake some tomorrow!
Mmm, that bread looks delicious! I’ve never cooked with yeast (well, except making bread rolls at school maybe)…I must get around to it one of these days 🙂
& I’m with you on taking the teabag out of the mug…having a slimy teabag touching your lips would be gross!!
That bread looks lush!!! I wonder if I could get the same result with gluten free flour…hmmm, something to experiment with sometime!
That book looks great!
I always leave the teabag in my mug of tea. I am always ridiculed for this as everyone else always takes theirs out! Apart from, I have now discovered, Laura!
Tea bag out. Very rarely will I leave the tea bag in because I think it ends up making your drink too strong. I’d rather leave it to stew for a few minutes, take out etc than have it in my cup for maybe fifiteen minutes (or however long I take to drink a mug). I don’t like the bitter taste (esp with green tea) you get when tea over-stews.
Mmmmm coconut and cinnamon are two of my favourite flavours so I’d imagine I’d enjoy your bread!
Glad you have had some entertainment in the form of Andy over the weekends! 😉 And it looks like you have some interesting reading material too! x
Hope if you make it it turns out well.
And thanks for the tea answers- keeps me amused!
Cat- have a try with gluten free bread mix, I am sure it would be fine as I am only really adding in the flavours to a normal bread recipe.
I really must get myself baking some bread soon, perhaps next weekend I might tackle it finally, you have inspired me! Yes, I’m still definitely a tea bag in person!
That bread sounds delicious! My mom and I both like making homemade bread but dont do it that often because we’re the only ones that eat it. My younger brothers rather eat toast 😛 They still have to jump on the healthy-eating bandwagon!
I’ve been drinking plenty of tea, too! Yum!
Black tea bags definitely out or it goes all bitter, but green, oolong or herbal I leave in for maximum flavour!
Go for it Laura 🙂
Shannon- you could toast the bread once you have made it but I suppose it is a bit of a waste.
Teabag out, definitely! If I don’t take it out, the end bit tastes disgusting 🙂
There’s nothing like the smell of baking bread but if it’s also got spice, coconut and raisins, your house must have smelt so good… I like breadmaking too, there’s something theraputic about it, as well as the lovely smell!
I don’t drink tea so can’t really comment!!!!!
However, your fruit bread looks absolutely gorgeous and I could happily eat smoe of that right now!
Rosexx
Sooo I tend to leave the teabag in. I guess I never thought of it as weird if it touches my teeth or something?!?! I am so jealous of your bread making abilities. I really should give it a go!
It really depends – in general I prefer to take the teabag out, but sometimes at work if I make tea and have a lid on my coffee cup, I don’t bother?
Your bread looks amazing! I’m definitely more of a tea bag fan.
OK, to answer the really important question first. With black tea I always take the tea bag out – I can’t stand stewed tea. Green tea bags the same – I find it goes bitter really quickly. Green tea leaves I leave in because they can be used again and again. I don’t like strong fruit tea, so I take those bags out. But, I do like peppermint and camomile tea quite strong, so I leave them in and re-use the bag for a second cup as well.
I love the look of that bread. I made bread all the time when I was at school – it’s so therapeutic, I really should get back into it.
Sarah that is the best answer 🙂 Tea making is an art and obviously very particular to each person too!