foodie friday

so the bread making experience was about as expected.
i wanted to try a basic recipe my first go around, and i kind of imagined there would be a few bumps in the road.

i ended up making the dough twice. the first time it was too crumbly and tough.
i was a little stunned by how small the bread was when it came out of the oven and by the fact that i could "knock" on it like i was knocking on a door. you know what i mean?

however, i will say after i cut into it, i was pleasantly surprised by how soft the inside was and how delightfully tasteful the bread was.

there were a few variables that i could have controlled a little better.
like not using country crock ... i know, who would do such a thing? i just wanted to use up what was in my fridge and you know me and my coupons. i bought the country crock spread a while back when it was at a really good deal. casey has ridiculed me for it ever since. did no one else grow up on country crock? i mean, i knew it was a bad idea when i bought it, but i think it was a desperate time. maybe ... who knows.

the basic bread recipe i used came from the simple dollar blog. ever heard of it?
it's one of casey's favorite. the name says it all. it's about living simply and spending simply. sometimes the posts are a little too long for me and kind of annoying. but there's some great finds on it as well. like this bread recipe.

you'll need these few ingredients:

1/4 cup milk
5 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoons salt
5 teaspoons butter
1 package active dry yeast
2 1/2 to 3 1/2 cups flour
nonstick cooking spray

click here for the directions on how to make a simple white bread.

here's how mine turned out.
i know, go ahead and laugh.
it didn't even fill up the pan!

practice makes perfect i suppose!

i plan to perfect this recipe and end up using wheat, and a more natural butter.
i'll keep you posted on my future bread making.
casey is so excited and is convinced that we'll never buy bread at the grocery store ever again!
oh brother, what have i done!