I'm only aloud in the kitchen when I'm NOT cooking!

My sister and I have a joke that I should have a blog about my adventures while cooking. Let me tell you, it's not because I'm a whiz in the kitchen! I've got skills- such as being capable of burning water, ruining Kraft Dinner, and getting things burnt on the outside but cold on the inside. My friends, I couldn't cook my way out of a paper bag.

But baking, baking is another story with me. I can bake. And I can bake well. Not sure how that happens, but I won't fight it! Of course, this doesn't mean I cant run into the occassional problem (such as the time I had to quadruple a batch of chocolate chip cookies because I used an american recipe and didn't realize measurements had to be converted- what a hard life I lead).. ANYWAY. I'm pretty good in a pinch.

A few weeks back I tried a recipe for home made bread that blew some socks off (and in a good way). It's super easy, and super tasty!

Here's how you do it:

CHIVES & THYME BREAD
MAKES 2 LOAVES

• 1 CUP WARM WATER (110 DEGREES)
• 1 PACKAGE ACTIVE DRY YEAST (21⁄4 TEASPOONS) 1 TABLESPOON WHITE SUGAR
• 6 CUPS WHITE BREAD FLOUR, DIVIDED
• 1 CUP MILK, ROOM TEMPERATURE
• 2 EGGS
• 2 TABLESPOONS BUTTER, SOFTENED
• 2 TEASPOONS SALT
• 1⁄4 CUP FRESH THYME, CHOPPED
• 1⁄4 CUP FRESH CHIVES, CHOPPED
• 1 EGG WHITE
• 2 TABLESPOONS WATER

1. In a small mixing bowl, dissolve yeast and sugar in 1 cup warm water. Let stand about 10 minutes.
2. In a large bowl, stir together the yeast mixture with four cups of flour, milk, eggs, butter, salt, thyme
3. and chives. Add the remaining flour 1⁄2 cup at a time.
4. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead about 8 minutes. The dough should be soft, smooth and not sticky.
5. Place dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth and put in a warm area to rise for about an hour, or until double in size.
6. Punch down the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface.
7. Knead gently for 1 minute and form into 2 ovals.
8. Tuck edges of oval under itself to form a round loaf- surface should look relatively taught and smooth when done, cover with a warm cloth and let sit for another 40 minutes.
9. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
10. Lightly beat the egg white and 2 tablespoons of water and brush over bread. Bake for 30 minutes.

And here's what you get:

Yeah. You're welcome!

Enjoy!!!

Evelyn