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.
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:)
ReplyDeleteNice combination you have there Jorge :) You inspired me too make some food now, thanks dude!
ReplyDeleteThose 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.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the bread making. I grew up eating homemade bread and it's way better than store bought.
awesome!!!! I will have to share this post with my husband as he would love to mke his own bread!
ReplyDeleteWow! 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.
ReplyDeleteI'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!
ReplyDeleteMy wife is a bit of a baker, and she swears by this book: http://www.amazon.com/Bread-Bakers-Book-Techniques-Recipes/dp/0471168572/
ReplyDeleteEverything 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!
congrats Jorge, they look very very tasty!
ReplyDeletek
Looks good enough to eat!
ReplyDeleteHi 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.
ReplyDeletehope everybody enjoyed it.
Good wishes for health and happiness to you and your family
always. imp
That's enviously good bread for a novice.
ReplyDeleteYum. Those are very professional looking loaves!
ReplyDeleteIt 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.
ReplyDelete... it was very stressful trying to make perfect bread when it was the first time i ever did it.
yours looks pretty!
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.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! 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.
ReplyDeleteAnother 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.
"I took it to work with me so I could give it a stir between scenes."
ReplyDeleteIs it wrong im jealous of that stuff cause it got to visit the set? ;)
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.
ReplyDeleteWow, I'm getting appetite right now. =)
ReplyDeleteThey look so good! :D
ReplyDeleteI had some home made bread over winter and it was very delish! (:
I hope yours is too! :D
(first comment?!)
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!
ReplyDeleteHave fun!
- sarah
Oh my... Couldn't you had take a photo with a higher resolution of the Lost script you've got? :P
ReplyDeleteCongrats! Once you discover how easy and rewarding it is to make your own bread you will never buy another loaf at the grocery store.
ReplyDeleteI've long wanted to take up breadmaking. I've also failed, many times, at taking up breadmaking. Maybe I should just get a machine.
ReplyDeleteYours are lovely.
Great job - the crusts on your breads look perfect which isn't always easy to do in a home oven!
ReplyDeletehah, im baking bread right at this very moment. it's an awesome hobby! we've also taken up making home made ice cream... :D
ReplyDeleteI'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.
ReplyDeleteSo far I'm just using a razor blade for a lame.
ReplyDeleteI have to check if my flour is unbromated. I know it's unbleached but I didn't know about the other thing.
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!
ReplyDeleteJorge,
ReplyDeleteI 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!
Looks great.
ReplyDeleteHave you made Asiago bread yet? I love Asiago bread.
Wow, Jorge. If anything ever happens to Beth (God forbid), you're MINE!!!! (I hope you like older women.) ;-)
ReplyDeleteI'm no "Betty Crocker" but I loved this bread: http://www.panerabread.com/recipes/recipe.php?category=2&id=19
ReplyDelete<3 sour dough
Great job!
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!!
ReplyDeleteHow 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.
ReplyDeleteDharma bread... LOL! I only say it because you took it to work. Nicely done!
ReplyDeleteAwesome job on the bread. Looks delicious!
ReplyDeletelol. The bread on the book looks burnt, so good luck!
ReplyDeleteThat's some good looking bread!!!! How lucky your fellow peeps on the set must be to have such a great treat brought to them.
ReplyDeleteThat is a work of art.
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully done!
ReplyDeleteAbout 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.
ReplyDeletehttp://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!
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)
ReplyDeleteI am very impressed Jorge. You are a master of many talents. Great actor, gardener, pumpkin carver, and now baker.
ReplyDeleteThe only thing I can bake is the roll of Nestle Toll House cookies.
The bread looks very yummy!
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.
ReplyDeleteToo 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.
ReplyDeleteI got "my bread" for xmas too, and loved my first loaf. Looks a lot like the round one you have there. Congrats!
ReplyDeleteYum!! I love homemade bread. :D
ReplyDeleteSAINTS Win....How bout Dat?
ReplyDeletewow, looks awesome...i´m getting hungry now : )
ReplyDeleteWhoa, 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.
ReplyDeleteNothing 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.
ReplyDeletehttp://darkufo.blogspot.com/2010/02/lost-parody-full-metal-alchemist.html
ReplyDeletethe dirty rotten swine!
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.
ReplyDeleteIf 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?
I've always wanted to try to make my own bread but it sounds so complicated. That first book looks interesting though!
ReplyDeleteHave 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 :-)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely fabulous! (We cheat and use a breadmaker!)... (Ps) Man ~Lost~ is foolin' with ma brain! X:-/
ReplyDeleteHi :))
ReplyDeleteI'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!!
Jorge, you are a great inspirator!
ReplyDeleteI 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
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.
ReplyDeleteI love mother nature!
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!)
ReplyDeleteI've tried to make bread loads of times, but it always turns out a heavy doughy mess...
ReplyDeleteI even bought a bread maker, but it caught fire and nearly burned the house down!
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
ReplyDeleteMy next adventure is to get the artisan bread book as well.
On a completely different note....why do you keep your box of cereal in the fridge?
ReplyDeleteI love making bread. I've never used a starter though. I've always been a bit scared to. So GO YOU!
ReplyDeleteJorge, 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.
ReplyDeleteI <3 bread. It is so yummy when made from scratch with love! you might want to try out this site: http://www.thefreshloaf.com/
ReplyDeletesome of my breadmaking friends enjoy it.
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?
ReplyDeleteThose breads look so tasty! I've always wanted to try those artisan type breads. Pretty darn impressive.
ReplyDeleteOh, 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
ReplyDeletePeter 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.
ReplyDeleteI 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..
ReplyDeleteIs 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.
ReplyDeleteFirst 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?
ReplyDeleteyour bread looks beautiful!
ReplyDeleteYumm ! 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 !
ReplyDeleteChristan
For I know if it is delicious,you need to send a sample here in Brazil :) :)
ReplyDeleteWe 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!
ReplyDeleteHow 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!
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!
ReplyDeleteGreat 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.
ReplyDeleteHave you made your own sauerkraut? It's even more fun.
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.
ReplyDeleteHave you made any stuffed breads yet? ;)
ReplyDeleteAWESOME bread dude! I just got "My Bread" and can't wait to make a loaf or three myself!
ReplyDeleteWow, they look great! I've made some bread and it's sooo good. I love baking bread!
ReplyDeleteHey! 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!
ReplyDeleteI 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/
ReplyDelete:)
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.
ReplyDeleteOk now you are making ME want to bake bread. That looks good! I have no idea what a mother starter is, though.
ReplyDeleteKeep that up, you will be feeding cast and crew!!
Besos!!
Homemade bread is the best! Makes the house smell so good too. Keep us updated on the best recipes!
ReplyDeleteWow! Looks like some amazing crust there! I'm sure it tasted delish! Congrats ;)
ReplyDeleteOh that's fantastic!
ReplyDeleteI 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!
Mmmmm, that looks delicious! And I'm a bit envious of that dough... :-P
ReplyDeleteWow, 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.
ReplyDeleteLooks good !!
Yesterday I read two different blog posts from people who have become breadmaking enthusiasts! Yours and this post over at The Ivoryhut...
ReplyDeletehttp://ivoryhut.com/2010/02/challah/
Thanks to you two, my first braid is rising right now! Yummo!
Beautimous!
ReplyDeleteAre you using the same thing as a sourdough starter?
ReplyDeleteI 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! :)
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:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.kingarthurflour.com/shop/items/sourdough-and-crock-set
good luck with the bread. :)
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.
ReplyDeleteSince 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!!
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
ReplyDeleteWhoa, you didn't just start making bread, you started making great bread! I'm very impressed!!!
ReplyDeleteCome join us fellow breadheads on The Fresh Loaf www.thefreshloaf.com
It is a great site for all things bread.
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
ReplyDeletewow I'm impressed! You have me motivated to try making some for myself now :)
ReplyDeletePLEASE 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!!
ReplyDeleteUh... 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!
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen that book before yet I have: http://www.artisanbreadinfive.com/
ReplyDeleteit 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.
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!
ReplyDeletea man of many talents!
ReplyDeletelooks yummi :)
(that piece of paper on the table at work... caught my attention...)
Jorge...definitivamente, tu MOLAS!!
ReplyDeleteThis 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.
ReplyDeleteAwesome bread baking site
ReplyDeleteThe Fresh Loaf
Love Lost...Love Hurley! Hurley and Miles are our favorite characters. Thanks to everyone for quality entertainment and a break from reality!
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!!
ReplyDeleteWhat 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!!!!!!
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!
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