Making Bread

Before my dad came to visit, I was asking him about the price of wheat and what would be my best route for obtaining wheat/flour so I could continue making my own bread. He told me that he would try to bring me some wheat. I was a little surprised, but very grateful, when he actually showed up with a pail of wheat. So I made him show me how to use the wheat grinder he'd given me a few years ago and make some yummy bread.

First, we ground the wheat into the nicest flour.

Flat Stanley even helped.

I got a few tips when making the dough for "Fool Proof Whole Wheat Bread." First, we used melted butter for the oil. Then we used 1/2 wheat flour and 1/2 white flour (bread flour works best.) Dad also told me that when adding the flour at the end, add just enough to 'start' cleaning the sides of the bowl. If too much flour is used, the bread isn't as moist.

I learned more tricks when shaping the dough. Dad would just wet his hands and pull off a hunk of dough and put into the greased pan. He would roll it over and over in the pan until the shape was nice and rounded on top. If his hands got sticky, he would just wet them. I asked him about the water in the dough and he said it wouldn't hurt the dough, but if you used flour or oil, it would change the consistency of the dough.

When the bread was finished, it looked great and tasted even better. I've even made bread since they left, and it has turned out great. I'm so grateful for a father that is able to teach me these invaluable skills. Thanks Dad!!!