A blog by Jorge Garcia.

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Flour + Salt + Yeast + Water

My newest hobby is bread making.

It's amazing how four simple ingredients can can do so much.

I started with two books I ordered over the holidays.
Peter Reinhart's Artisan Breads Everyday
and My Bread by Jim Lahey.

Here's my first bread.
Then I tried to make my own starter. This is a bit of a process because you have to baby it. (It's kinda like when you're in school and you have to take care of an egg.)
I took it to work with me so I could give it a stir between scenes.
Eventually it became a mother starter. I made a couple baguettes with that starter but apparently I don't have any pictures. But I did get a shot of my last bread which I was most proud of.

112 comments:

Lora @ my blessed life said...

Impressive! Looks yummy. I bake bread using a starter that you feed instant potato flakes & sugar. It's really good, but I like making the dough better than eating it:)

tjotr said...

Nice combination you have there Jorge :) You inspired me too make some food now, thanks dude!

Jules said...

Those breads look amazing! But seriously... you took the dough with you to the set???!!! That's too funny! You know you could auction that bread off and someone would pay a fortune for it. It may even be me.

Good luck with the bread making. I grew up eating homemade bread and it's way better than store bought.

Hyla said...

awesome!!!! I will have to share this post with my husband as he would love to mke his own bread!

Rachel said...

Wow! Your bread looks amazing!Did you use a bread maker? My dad got me a bread maker for Christmas, but I don't understand why I can't just use the oven. Today, I am attempting ribs. They are in the oven.

Anonymous said...

I've been really into making bread lately too! I've become really great at making pizza dough, bread sticks and pretzels but I haven't attempted a loaf yet. It's actually a little intimidating but I think I might soon! I actually just love the smell of the unbaked dough! Your look really fantastic!

Justin said...

My wife is a bit of a baker, and she swears by this book: http://www.amazon.com/Bread-Bakers-Book-Techniques-Recipes/dp/0471168572/

Everything she has made from this book has been awesome, and I'm starting to understand what she means when she talks about "poolish" and "pate fermentee", although I really just care about the end result :)

I know she also uses a lame to score the bread, but it looks like you already have something similar:

http://www.surlatable.com/product/collections/matfer+bakeware/matfer+lame+.do

She also makes sure to use unbleached and unbromated flour for health reasons:

http://fravelicious.com/2009/01/06/a-note-about-flour/

Good luck with the baking - that last loaf looks awesome!

PoshDrosofila said...

congrats Jorge, they look very very tasty!
k

Ilima Loomis said...

Looks good enough to eat!

imp said...

Hi Jorge, first time poster, long time fan. First, let me say it seems that you are a very decent and down to earth person, answering your fan mail and posting this column. Please don't change. Since times are rough, I too have learned how to grow my familys veggies, and now make bread as well. Tastes soo much better than most store bought, and gives a sense of satisfaction to be able to provide something for the family. I have to say that for your first loaf, it looks awesome.
hope everybody enjoyed it.
Good wishes for health and happiness to you and your family
always. imp

Unknown said...

That's enviously good bread for a novice.

Tricia said...

Yum. Those are very professional looking loaves!

Chrissy Conklin said...

It IS a lot like taking care of an egg. I was house sitting for my boss one time and he gave me instructions on how to take care of/make bread for him so it would be ready when he came back.

... it was very stressful trying to make perfect bread when it was the first time i ever did it.

yours looks pretty!

Anonymous said...

Impressive! So far, all of my bread experiments have been in a bread machine. I have been dying to try a starter, and I think it's time to break out. I miss sourdough bread, so I think I'll have to go for it.

Melissa said...

Congratulations! I started making bread a few years ago and couldn't believe how easy it is. My husband has been out of work so I've been reaping the benefits of how cheap it is too! I keep trying to convince people to make their own bread, but they all say it takes too long. It isn't as if you have to sit there and watch the loaf rise.

Another thing you should think about making is your own yogurt. Yummy. Think about it, you could be spreading your own yogurt cheese (which you make by putting the yogurt in a sieve overnight) on your own bread.

Hurleyrules said...

"I took it to work with me so I could give it a stir between scenes."

Is it wrong im jealous of that stuff cause it got to visit the set? ;)

Sara B said...

Looks delicious Jorge! I love the idea of Hurley working on his yeast starter between scenses... I will be thinking of that when I watch.

Unknown said...

Wow, I'm getting appetite right now. =)

iLostie said...

They look so good! :D
I had some home made bread over winter and it was very delish! (:
I hope yours is too! :D

(first comment?!)

Sarah said...

Hello! I also highly recommend the book "Bread Alone" by Daniel Leader. Great info on making/keeping your own starter. There's a cranberry walnut bread recipe in there that is just amazing. There is really nothing like a gorgeous loaf such as the one you posted above, and knowing you made that beautiful thing yourself, with such basic ingredients. It's like practicing magic!

Have fun!
- sarah

a.new.way said...

Oh my... Couldn't you had take a photo with a higher resolution of the Lost script you've got? :P

luckylibbet said...

Congrats! Once you discover how easy and rewarding it is to make your own bread you will never buy another loaf at the grocery store.

Anonymous said...

I've long wanted to take up breadmaking. I've also failed, many times, at taking up breadmaking. Maybe I should just get a machine.

Yours are lovely.

edina said...

Great job - the crusts on your breads look perfect which isn't always easy to do in a home oven!

i said...

hah, im baking bread right at this very moment. it's an awesome hobby! we've also taken up making home made ice cream... :D

JohnLeMay said...

I'm gonna give bread-makin' a shot now. I love me some bread. BTW, random question: What do you guys do with the old scripts when you are done with them? Like the ones from earlier seasons? That'd be cool if they were for sale or something.

Jorge Garcia said...

So far I'm just using a razor blade for a lame.

I have to check if my flour is unbromated. I know it's unbleached but I didn't know about the other thing.

Gretchen said...

Tasty! I have begun baking all of or bread from scratch too. It is way more fun and so much easier than I thought it would be. I am also making cinnamon rolls from scratch. Yummy!

James Hernandez said...

Jorge,

I definitely see a future career in the restaurant industry for you. From tres leches to bread! How about a pan dulce for your next attempt!

Unknown said...

Looks great.
Have you made Asiago bread yet? I love Asiago bread.

Sue Wacvet said...

Wow, Jorge. If anything ever happens to Beth (God forbid), you're MINE!!!! (I hope you like older women.) ;-)

Anonymous said...

I'm no "Betty Crocker" but I loved this bread: http://www.panerabread.com/recipes/recipe.php?category=2&id=19

<3 sour dough

Great job!

Austin said...

Thats awesome man!!! My son and I bake bread all the time now...we started back in the fall. I love it man...make hawaiian bread and have awesome sandwiches all week. Also...my wife and i love the new season of LOST right now. We both are pumped and we really thing hurley is going to be a huge piece to the final game plan this year! Mel couldn't stop laughing when she watched your gun scene by the van! Awesome stuff man! Also, thanks a ton for the autograph and card we got back! My son thought it was the coolest thing that his name was on a pic of yours!!

leah said...

How funny that you posted this now since I just tried making my first loaf of bread since high school home ec class. I failed miserably. I'm so sad because I really want to make my own breads. I'm blaming my oven, though.

Megan said...

Dharma bread... LOL! I only say it because you took it to work. Nicely done!

Jennifer said...

Awesome job on the bread. Looks delicious!

Benjamin. said...

lol. The bread on the book looks burnt, so good luck!

Malea said...

That's some good looking bread!!!! How lucky your fellow peeps on the set must be to have such a great treat brought to them.

Tales of Whimsy said...

That is a work of art.

Lisa Chin said...

I love the No Knead Bread recipe published on the New York Times website. Your recipes look very similar. The recipe gives THE best artisan crust and wonderful texture. Yummmmmmm.

IslandPearl said...

Beautifully done!

Alexandria said...

About a month ago I stated making my own bread too after reading a super easy recipe for it on one of my favourite food blogs. I haven't bought bread from the store since.

http://family.go.com/blog/catherinewman/fantastic-fearless-five-minute-bread-889536/

It is so easy I can even make it with my one year one daughter hanging onto my leg (except for the oven part when I usually distract her with PBS for a few minutes). Homemade bread is so much better than store bought!

The Ferber Family said...

mmm, looks sooooo yummy!! i'm curious if you recommend one of those books more than the other? i would love to try my own bread but i want to buy a good quality book that has all the info i need :o)

Jodi said...

I am very impressed Jorge. You are a master of many talents. Great actor, gardener, pumpkin carver, and now baker.

The only thing I can bake is the roll of Nestle Toll House cookies.

The bread looks very yummy!

Ginny said...

That bread looks delicious! I've been making my own bread for a couple years now. I find it to be a pleasure to make and eat. I swear by The Bread Bible.

Kaulana said...

Too cool! Check out the King Arthur Flour website for some really good tips and recipes. They have a really good blog too with step by step photos.

Katy said...

I got "my bread" for xmas too, and loved my first loaf. Looks a lot like the round one you have there. Congrats!

Anonymous said...

Yum!! I love homemade bread. :D

drallabg said...

SAINTS Win....How bout Dat?

Nene said...

wow, looks awesome...i´m getting hungry now : )

Pauline Laing said...

Whoa, I have the Jim Lahey book too - a recent gift. Fabulous results! The kids complained about the bread being too dark, so I toned it down. Then one day I accidentally burned it just a bit - still served it. Wow, those dark-crust bits are really good! Kind of caramelized! So we're back to darkish loaves.

Dr Mum said...

Nothing beats the smell of newly baked bread. I always make double as one loaf is demolished right off. I model mine on Swedish heavy bread.

Dr Mum said...

http://darkufo.blogspot.com/2010/02/lost-parody-full-metal-alchemist.html

the dirty rotten swine!

Parker said...

Your bread looks really nice. If you like Reinhart check out The Bread Baker's Apprentice. It is more technical, but the recipes and techniques are excellent. The Tassajara Bread Book is another good option for the hippie take on things.

If I can ask, how did you avoid your starter molding? Every time I try a starter in a humid environment it turns pink and gets tossed. Also, why refrigerates a box of Kashi?

Breigh said...

I've always wanted to try to make my own bread but it sounds so complicated. That first book looks interesting though!

Unknown said...

Have you ever tried using bread dough (rye bread made of sourdough) for something that is called "Bacon Cake"? It's a speciality from my hometown Kassel in northern Hesse. You spread the bread dough on a baking tray and add a mixture of leftover rolls (or wheat baguette) soaked in milk, eggs and leek on top of it, and finally you sprinkle a good amount of bacon (cut in little cubes and previously rolled in breadcrumbs) on top of it all. In my hometown they sell it as a popular snack on every corner, but here in the Black Forest it's totally unknown and so I have to rely on my own baking abilities. I will be happy to share the complete recipe with anyone who is interested, it's amazingly tasty :-)

nollyposh said...

Absolutely fabulous! (We cheat and use a breadmaker!)... (Ps) Man ~Lost~ is foolin' with ma brain! X:-/

paroleperaria said...

Hi :))
I'm a Lost italian big fan and I accidentally bumped into your blog... cool!
I want to tell you that you are great and I like Hugo so much! :))

And, by the way, your bread looks very yummy!!

annebeth said...

Jorge, you are a great inspirator!
I love cooking but haven't ventured into the bread-area yet, but I think I will give it a try now that I saw your first tries: they look so jummy :D

Jason said...

It is amazing that 4 little ingredients can make bread. It just takes 4 little ingredients to make beer too, grain, water, hops, and yeast.
I love mother nature!

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

That's impressive!! We have a bread machine that gets a regular workout. I feel like a real Pioneer woman when I bake my own bread. ;) Your first bread looks great for a first try (esp. since you didn't use a bread machine!)

Paul Spooner said...

I've tried to make bread loads of times, but it always turns out a heavy doughy mess...

I even bought a bread maker, but it caught fire and nearly burned the house down!

Holden's Landing said...

Looks great! I am a huge bread making fan - I won't buy store bought bread anymore. I just found then tweaked then posted an amazing new york deli style rye bread recipe to my blog here - http://holdenslanding.blogspot.com/2010/02/monday-munchies-deli-style-rye-bread.html

My next adventure is to get the artisan bread book as well.

Carol said...

On a completely different note....why do you keep your box of cereal in the fridge?

Author said...

I love making bread. I've never used a starter though. I've always been a bit scared to. So GO YOU!

JNL said...

Jorge, I am very curious of your reviews of the 2 books. The "My Bread" has been in my Amazon wish list for a while but was not sure if I could trust the "No-work, No-knead" statement. They look awesome.

Sarah said...

I <3 bread. It is so yummy when made from scratch with love! you might want to try out this site: http://www.thefreshloaf.com/
some of my breadmaking friends enjoy it.

Jaime said...

I love bread, and I've been thinking about making my own bread as well. But what is a starter? And why do you have to stir it regularly?

Leslie said...

Those breads look so tasty! I've always wanted to try those artisan type breads. Pretty darn impressive.

Lindsey said...

Oh, another reason I love you, Jorge! (Tell your GF not to worry, I am happily married ;) I love making bread. I have not tried the artisan bread yet, but many of my friends make it and love it. Your loaf looks beautiful. I've got to try it. I've had that book on my Amazon wishlist for a while now. Way to BAKE, Jorge! :D

jen said...

Peter Reinhart is awesome.. We have his The Bread Baker's Apprentice, and everything we've made from it has been awesome. And I'm pretty sure that was the book we got the big soft pretzel recipe from, which turned out to be about my favourite thing in the whole wide world of bread.

yellowdoggranny said...

I have the first cook book and use it all the time..I also like making fresh pizza dough with my own toppings..they rock..my granddaughters think granny's the best chef ever..there is something so satisfying about baking bread..

Judy in Indiana said...

Is it easy as the titels (or subtitles) of the books claim? Is one more helpful than the other? I want to make bread, too. I'll trust your guidance.

wamlis said...

First time posting, LOVE your blog, I always quietly read along, but had to sign in this time. You wouldnt care to share your starter recipe would you?

jennY said...

your bread looks beautiful!

Anonymous said...

Yumm ! Home made bread is a pain to make but oh so good !! And on a side note I love the show !! My Husbands Cousin just moved to Hawaii and is now working on the LOST set !! I feel so much closer to it all LOL !! Her name is Shiloh btw lol !

Christan

Roberta said...

For I know if it is delicious,you need to send a sample here in Brazil :) :)

Hadley said...

We are totally in sync - I just made my first loaf from a starter that I made a couple of weeks ago. Mine unfortunately deflated in the move from the bread mould to the peel. Such a bummer!

How did your bread turn out taste wise? I heard that a starter gets better with age which means your sourdoughs taste gets better with age. Check out sourdough.com for some excellent forums on starters, recipes, etc. They were very helpful and I used their starter recipe for mine.

Bread making is so much fun and rewarding too!

mabochda said...

Wow! your first loaf looks great! My Mom taught me how to make bread when I was little. Guess it was cheaper to make it than buy or either she was bored and wanted something to keep us busy. It was fun punching it down. Love the smell of fresh baked bread!

Cosmo said...

Great starter! I had some going for awhile up here in Alaska. Remember you can refrigerate it once it gets going. The culture slows down but does not die in the cooler temps. If you keep it at room temp you'll need to feed it pretty frequently to avoid the yellows.

Have you made your own sauerkraut? It's even more fun.

Unknown said...

Jorge, veo que te defiendes bien en la cocina, ese pan tiene muy buena pinta y seguro que esta riquisimo. Si me dices la proporción delas cantidades yo tambien me animo a hacerlo y te invito a comer.

Colleen said...

Have you made any stuffed breads yet? ;)

micki said...

AWESOME bread dude! I just got "My Bread" and can't wait to make a loaf or three myself!

Melissa said...

Wow, they look great! I've made some bread and it's sooo good. I love baking bread!

Unknown said...

Hey! Good to know it works! I was given the first book for Christmas, but haven't made any yet. I think I'm feeling inspired!

Emily said...

I love homemade bread. I found the best instructable on a 4-hour no-knead bread. It's lovely. But as a warning - the entire process takes 5.5 hours - the 4 hours is just the biggest chunk of rise time. Here: http://www.instructables.com/id/4-Hour-No-Knead-bread/
:)

Annette Lesak said...

Super yum! My hubby went through a bread-making phase for a while. I was a fat, happy camper. May I also recommend home sausage making? The attachment for the Kitchen Aid makes it super easy. It is hubby's current food hobby and it is deeelish.

Lynn Faruque said...

Ok now you are making ME want to bake bread. That looks good! I have no idea what a mother starter is, though.

Keep that up, you will be feeding cast and crew!!

Besos!!

CK, MD said...

Homemade bread is the best! Makes the house smell so good too. Keep us updated on the best recipes!

Moeyness said...

Wow! Looks like some amazing crust there! I'm sure it tasted delish! Congrats ;)

Miss Scarlett said...

Oh that's fantastic!

I have that Artisan bread book on request from my library. Making bread is on my "list" for this year.

If you can imagine, I went through a bread making phase as a teenager - I know, a TEENAGER.
Weird.

But I haven't done it for ahem, years.

Your bread looks scrumptious!

Erin said...

Mmmmm, that looks delicious! And I'm a bit envious of that dough... :-P

Disneypal said...

Wow, you REALLY make bread. I do sometimes on occasion too - but I use a bread machine and a box mix from the store. I love homemade bread - maybe I should give it a "real" try since my bread machine stopped working.

Looks good !!

Unknown said...

Yesterday I read two different blog posts from people who have become breadmaking enthusiasts! Yours and this post over at The Ivoryhut...
http://ivoryhut.com/2010/02/challah/
Thanks to you two, my first braid is rising right now! Yummo!

Bookgrunt said...

Beautimous!

DocX said...

Are you using the same thing as a sourdough starter?

I picked up bread making last year. I use a bread machine and it works fabulous. :) I haven't found a good sourdough recipe for the bread machine yet. I need more sour! :)

vingleburt wingeldank said...

so I'm avoiding doing my taxes and looking through "junk mail" and came across a catalog for King Arthur Flour (did you know they have all sorts of baking accessories?)... I came across a "Sourdough Crock" that helps you keep your starter in the fridge and stuff. It made me think of you so I thought I'd post it for you:
http://www.kingarthurflour.com/shop/items/sourdough-and-crock-set

good luck with the bread. :)

utf said...

Shit, Jorge. Besides that people often thinks I´m that guy from Lost when they see me on the street, I´ve also made my own bread, exactly the same as you did, and I also posted it on my blog.

Since I got hooked to Lost I was impressed about all the coincidences between you, your character, and me. If I got stranded in a strange island, I guess I´d be playing your very much role.

This is a world of amazingly frightening coincidences!!

Beatrice said...

so glad you are baking your own bread. i do too. after many failures, i'm now using the Mark Bittman recipe which only needs 4 hours rise and uses olive oil. my bread looks magnificent and it is very good, too. http://bit.ly/4ETjjv

JanKnitz said...

Whoa, you didn't just start making bread, you started making great bread! I'm very impressed!!!

Come join us fellow breadheads on The Fresh Loaf www.thefreshloaf.com

It is a great site for all things bread.

Reeciedarling said...

Looks delish! Ive made a few pizza doughs,but thats the extent of my bread making abilitis. I do however have an AMAZING malasada recipe =D

Brandi said...

wow I'm impressed! You have me motivated to try making some for myself now :)

Unknown said...

PLEASE join us on thefreshloaf.com where you will find MANY home bakers and professionals alike! It makes a HUGE difference when there are others who are doing the same thing you are and having issues you may be able to help with!! I have been baking for more than 30 years and am constantly amazed by the TONS of info I have gleaned from them!! BTW...Tuesdays are TOPS in my house! WE LOVE LOST!!

Anonymous said...

Uh... I TOTALLY spent my last weekend making bread too! The first one didn't taste that great but my second sourdough tasted YUMMY! Last night I made the Italian Bread recipe from allrecipes.com and it was awesome! Hope yours tasted better than mine!

Mom2haylil said...

I haven't seen that book before yet I have: http://www.artisanbreadinfive.com/
it is amazing! Probably a similar book I would guess. I have become a pro at Challah, Rye, French and Semolina bread. It really could not be easier. Plus the authors are really cool, you can ask them questions on their website and they respond within a day.

April said...

Right on! I'm a newbie to homemade bread, but I'm addicted already. It's so much fun and it tastes waaay better than store bought!

kerenl said...

a man of many talents!
looks yummi :)

(that piece of paper on the table at work... caught my attention...)

Alba said...

Jorge...definitivamente, tu MOLAS!!

Christine said...

This is great! On a similar note, I recently learned to make crepes, which are also made up of just a few simple ingredients. I might have to try my spatula at bread making.

Renee Ambrose for Central Vacuum Stores said...

Awesome bread baking site
The Fresh Loaf

Love Lost...Love Hurley! Hurley and Miles are our favorite characters. Thanks to everyone for quality entertainment and a break from reality!

dritache said...

Jorge, I love your blog. I check it everyday after a long day at work to see if you have posted something new. You should teach your bread making on the Food Network!!
What am I going to do without Hurley? I am going to miss you so much.

Bought your bread making books. Can hardly wait to start! Thanks for your blog!!!!!!

Ms. M said...

Wow... baking bread always seems to be a very hard thing.. I think I'm a bit afraid of the whole yeast thing...I might have to take a look at those books!