I consider myself a fairly decent cook except when it comes to my breadmaking skills. Every time I put aside the urge of baking my own bread, I convince myself that it is a job done best by a heavy-duty stand mixer. Or with great muscle and kneading precision - the latter of which I definitely lack.
Funnily breadmaking is the complete opposite of its basic and essential presence in our lives. But isn’t everything that we associate with basic and essential turned around right now?! I went for a week without bread because I am home-isolating and the food delivery apps had long waiting periods. I finally decided to commit to the dreaded 10 minutes long knead!
Five minutes in, the plot looked quite familiar to my previous breadmaking episodes. But the restlessness from distantly audible ambulance sirens forced the heels of my hands tucked into the dough and I kept pushing it on the countertop. Around eight minutes later, the process didn’t seem so futile after all! I was inching closer to that smooth ball and there was a lot of relief.
Exactly after 10 minutes, I felt hopeful. My bread dough was perfectly shiny and supple and ready for its first proofing.
Proofing periods are very enabling. You can move on with your day and routine. Even watch a short film if you feel like it. But do remember to check on your dough because the best is yet to come. No, I don’t mean watching your bread bake and rise in the oven. Better still!
I was in two minds if I wanted a loaf or many buns out of my dough. I settled for a loaf because I think it is more accomodating a side than buns or dinner rolls. And even though I can make a meal out of freshly sliced, toasted butter bread. It is comforting to know the possibilities.
Proofing period two. Another break, say around forty minutes.
In an ideal situation, I would have brushed my loaf with a beaten egg. Here, I was out of eggs and bread - hence an eggless, milk bread loaf.
Remember earlier I said that there is nothing calming about the breadmaking process? Well, I’d like to alter that a bit here. A milky warm aroma will fill your room as your bread comes out of the oven. And it is the calm you need right now!
It has taken me a lot of effort to finally sit down and put this edition of the newsletter together and if you’ve made it this far, I sincerely thank you for reading it. We’re all going through a difficult time and it seems to be getting unbearable with each passing day. The helplessness has gripped us all and there is little we can actively do about it. However, it is also important that we stay indoors and help to break the infection chain. Hold on to whatever keeps you sane and gets you through the day. Even if it is hope for tomorrow, and bread for today.
Please reach out to me if you feel like talking about anything at all. We are all in this together.
Stay safe at home!
Love,
Taiyaba.