Bread Baking an American Pasttime

Baking bread at home can be both fun and rewarding. There is no better way to create a wholesome and welcoming atmosphere than by baking a fresh loaf of milk bread or having guest walk into a room that smells of cooling banana bread. Although bread making has been a part of American culture for centuries today’s fast paced lifestyles has all but eliminated the art of making breads at home. However, it only takes a little flour and some kitchen know-how to revive this tradition for domestic excellence. There are two main types of breads, yeast breads and quick breads.

Yeast breads are the airy, light and fluffy breads that are used for sandwiches and dinner rolls. Quick breads generally have fruit or nuts in them and have a denser composition. One of the easiest and most rewarding types of yeast bread is milk bread. Milk bread is a great place for the novice bread maker to start. It is easy and only requires milk, flour, salt, sugar and yeast, (All Recipes, n. d. ). In addition to the simple ingredients as the baker gains experience variations on this recipe can be made to include various cheeses, herbs or grains.

Another type of yeast bread that has become a staple in kitchens across America is a simple country French bread. This bread is often long and crusty and it goes great with soups or dishes with heavy sauces. Country French bread takes more time than milk bread but by using recipes similar to the one listed on www. breadworld. com, bread makers both professionals and beginners can produce the flaky classic. Other types of breads that can be made at home include quick breads.

These breads are called quick breads because they do not require the time that yeast breads need to rise. Common quick breads include banana bread, apple date bread or sour dough. Find amateur recipes for these breads at www. thejoykitchen. com. References All Recipes (n. d. ). Milk Bread. Retrieved April 6, 2009, from www. allrecipes. com Fleischman’s Rapid Rise Yeast (n. d. ). Country French Bread. Retrieved April 6, 2009, from www. breadworld. com The Joy of Cooking Cookbook (n. d. ). Quick Breads. Retrieved April 06, 2009, from www. thejoykitchen. com