Baking Day!

Today was a beautiful day, with sun streaming through the windows, and quiet moments to sit, learn and reflect on all that HE made. With music on and laughter in the air....three girls and I fill the house with scent of memories and the telling of family present and past and the recipes they so generously share with us.

We pull out Bread Maker (our secret ingredient) and thus begins the teaching, the tips and tricks that so many mommas have shared. How to measure, how to season, how to test for readiness, how life like bread requires a thoughtful eye an attentive spirit. We learn more than baking. We learn the togetherness of women, the joy of homemaking.

Such an amazing bread, one that my dear cousin and mother shared with me. So tasty and surprisingly easy!

Janet's Multigrain Bread

1cup of hot water, to which you add 1 cup of milk

1 tablespoon white sugar...I add about 3

2 tablespoons of olive oil

1 and 1/2 teaspoon of salt

2 cups multigrain flour

2 and 1/2 cups of unbleached flour

1 heaping tablespoon of quick rise instant yeast

Put all ingredients in bread machine in order given. set machine to dough setting and start. Important tip**** listen to machine when it starts to mix if it is labouring add small amounts of warm water until it runs smoothly, or if the dough is too soft or wet, add sprinkles of flour. Let dough rise until approx 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

Take out and remove paddle, press gently until it is a square, divide in half with sharp knife. Shape into 2 loaves ( or rolls) and let rise for 1 hour. Bake at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes approx 16 minutes for rolls. This recipe freezes nicely if in a plastic bag.

Yum-Yum!