Simple yeast bread - Get some!

If you grew up in suburban America like I did, you might have missed out on something that most Europeans take for granted:  delicious yeast breads.  Sure, Wonder Bread has its positive qualities (err... it's cheap?), but before I had my eyes opened to the magic that is Bread (with a capital B) it was all I really knew.

We deserve better, America!  Instead of walking two blocks to find yet another Starbucks, wouldn't it be magical to stumble upon a bakery?  Perhaps one that has delicious, soft-pretzels on display?  Or donuts?  Or chocolate cake?  Or... I could get lost in the memories of Austria's Konditoreien and Bäckereien.  And yes, there are German words for bakeries that specialize in sweet treats (Konditorei) and yeast treats (Bäckerei).  EVEN THE WORDS SHOW WHAT WE ARE MISSING.

Anyway, I went on this tirade simply to let you know how easy it is to remedy this problem, and you don't even have to shell out the big bucks (Chicago has plenty of bakeries, but simple yeast breads can go for $5 to $7 dollars, and I wouldn't even pay that when I had a job).

Here's a recipe that is super easy to make and super difficult to screw up.  Give it a try, and let me know how it turned out!

Light and Fluffy Pizza Dough (Pizza Bianca, a la America's Test Kitchen)

With growing concerns over my expanding waistline, I have tried to cool down the fervor of my baking.  I'm saving all of that for when my family comes to visit me here in Chicago over Easter weekend!  Get ready guys, I also plan on wowing you with some sweet home fries (see Smitten Kitchen), fluffy pancakes, delicious french toast and homemade bread.  I haven't found my favorite recipes for the latter foods yet, but I have time, so don't worry.

Oh, right.  My darling sister Heather requested that I offer some healthy alternatives.  Why?  Because she is a fatty trapped in a skinny girl's body.  Her cholesterol rivals that of a 400-pound man who feeds primarily off of Peeps and steak.  So, I'll do what I can, sister, but I make no promises.  I got the good genes...

Anyway, how's everyone feel about pizza?  Like it?  Good.  Now what about the crust?  Ehhh.  Every crust recipe I've made until now has produced a heavy, generally bland bread.  Some are better than others, but I don't want a crust that tastes like hard bread.  I want a crust that contributes to the pizza experience.  Maybe a fluffy one like Jet's Pizza??

GOT IT!

This recipe does not require a ton of ingredients, but it is rather labor intensive.  If you're planning on making this for dinner and it's 5:30 PM, you're probably going to be hungry until at least 8:00. 

First Entry: Cinnamon Sugar Pull-apart Bread

Hello friends!

I've had a lot of time on my hands for the past few weeks. After three and a half blissful years working at my environmental consulting job, I finally bit the bullet and left corporate America. I'm working my way through the final two classes required for my Masters in Education at DePaul University here in Chicago, and I'm pumped to start my new life.

So. Why the blog? Well, after working 40+ hours/week and attending classes 6 hours/week, I now have a paltry 7 hours of classes/week. Period. That leaves a lot of free time for homework, observing teachers' classrooms... but more realistically, watching horrible TV (I just weaned myself off of The Secret Life of the American Teenager), cleaning the condo, and, you guessed it, cooking. Hopefully a blog will encourage me to keep track of the delicious things I've cooked and baked and any modifications I may have made to the recipe.

Another reason why I've turned to cooking and happily embraced the 1950s ideal of a housewife is the fact that my honey has been completely supportive of my awkward transition from corporate drone to future middle school teacher. I try to cook things that he and I will both like, and the recipe for Cinnamon Sugar Pull-Apart Bread on Joy the Baker's blog fit the bill perfectly! You'll find my version of the recipe (which includes the same ingredients but slightly lazier instructions) below!