Baking By Hand

Village Oven Project

annie — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 18:26:35 +0000

Yesterday was one of those days when I was reassured that the human spirit is alive and well. I put out the word that I was having a “Baking and Sharing Day” which meant that anyone who wanted to could come to the farm, bake bread and then donate it to the local YWCA Women’s Shelter. I had no idea if anyone would want to come. As it turned out, there were 10 women who showed up for all or part of the day. I had all the ingredients out for several recipes and told them they could choose to make whatever they wanted. It was like an old fashion barn raising. Everyone pitched in, some baking, some measuring , some washing and some packaging and labeling. In the end we donated about 10 dozen rolls, 5 dozen cookies, 5 dozen muffins and 24 jars of homemade mac and cheese! They all went to the shelter to be placed in the freezer for crisis situations that arise. But the most heartwarming part of the day was to see everyone’s giving and caring spirit soar. I think we all want to give of ourselves and it felt good to be providing nourishment to others while nourishing our own souls. We voted to continue the project at least quarterly and to call it the Village Oven Project. I am happy!

Sweet Things Bake Shop

annie — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 11:46:08 +0000

Well, today I am having an adventure and a new challenge! I am in New York and will do an “internship” at the bakery, Sweet Things Bake Shop, that is run by the staff and members of the Lower East SIde Girls Club. I am so interested to see how their bakery runs, what products they sell, and how they train the young women who staff the bakery. If you are interested, you can learn more about the Lower East Side Girls Club by visiting their website-http://girlsclub.org/. It is a wonderful organization. I am hoping to get ideas and inspiration to develop something similar in Walla Walla, WA. I will keep you updated.

Bagels are Back!

annie — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 15:32:38 +0000

Since the weather was getting a bit cooler, I got the itch to try my hand at making my favorite bagels again. It is a recipe from Peter Reinhart. I used to make them all the time and then one time last winter, they just flopped! I tried many other times with limited success. Still not sure exactly what happened. But I did them again yesterday with a bit of tweaking and they were fabulous! I’m so very excited to have good bagels AND to teach the much requested bagel class again in November!

So Much Fun

annie — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 15:33:56 +0000

I am having so much fun this summer at the Walla Walla Farmer’s Market . The summer started out with cool weather but now it is sunny and warm and lots of people are out and about on Saturday morning. I have a “Mini-bar” set up at the Farmer’s Market where I sell “little jewels.” You can pick your own mini cupcake, pick a frosting flavor and a topping- all for $.50 ! I also have little scones, biscuits, tartlets and more- all for $.50! It is so much fun to see the children come and make their own choices and to see the delight on their faces when I hand them a beautiful special cupcake ! But even more fun is having them come back a few minutes later for another one! Being a parent of three children myself, I can also see the relief in a parent’s face when they can offer their child a treat that is just the right size! Size does matter ! So if you are looking for something to do in Walla Walla on a pretty Saturday morning, be sure to stop by the Farmer’s Market and enjoy all the treats it has to offer!

Summer is almost here!

annie — Tue, 17 May 2011 03:58:44 +0000

Summer is almost here! That means I switch from teaching bread baking classes on Saturdays to selling the most yummy mini cupcakes at the Walla Walla Farmer’s Market. I will even have a “design your own cupcake mini bar.” Hope to see you there. have a great summer!

March Is Bread Pudding Month

annie — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 15:36:49 +0000

I have a confession to make. As much bread as I have made over the last 30 years, I have never made bread pudding! The sad thing is that I LOVE bread pudding! My sister who is a self proclaimed “non-baker” even makes bread pudding! While I was in Scotland visiting my daughter and son-in-law last month we had a traditional dessert called “Spotted Dick” which is a form of bread pudding. It was so delicious that I decided I would research about it and try to make it. There are so many wonderful recipes for all sorts of bread puddings that I think I will devote the month of March to making lots of different kinds. Today’s blog from “thebaKINGway” is about rice pudding so I will try making that too. Needless to say, it is going to be a great month!

"Spotted Dick"

Biscotti Are Just An Excuse

annie — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 16:51:39 +0000

But what a perfect excuse they are! An excuse to have cookies with my coffee, an excuse to have cookies with my tea, an excuse to have cookies with my wine at five and even an excuse to have just that little something before bed. For some unknown reason I won’t let myself have cookies at all those times in the day but I will happily and somewhat without quilt treat myself to having biscotti at each of those times during the day, perhaps even two or three biscotti at a time! So what is it about the humble biscotti that has this effect on me? I think it has to do with it’s simple, unassuming nature. It often is a bit plain with hints of exotic flavors thus somehow comforting. AND the fact that you are supposed to dip it into the drink of choice makes it almost irresistible to me. So go explore all the different ways to enjoy biscotti. You may never be a “cookie person” again!

Let’s Start With Chocolate

annie — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 16:57:29 +0000

Starting with chocolate is always a good place to start-at least for me. I love chocolate! So chocolate biscotti is just about as good as it can get. I eat my chocolate biscotti in the morning with my coffee, in the afternoon with another cup of coffee and at night as dessert with a nice glass of good red wine. What more can I say? It’s like “the jack of all trades.” You can bake these until they are hard and crisp or slightly under bake them so they taste like eating a brownie with your morning coffee. Lordy, Lordy, Lordy, permission to eat brownies with my morning coffee!

February Is Biscotti Month

annie — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 14:38:49 +0000

Well, not officially. But since I am down to my last few biscotti, I’ve decided to declare that February is Biscotti Month. So that means I will be making biscotti a lot! Maybe not everyday, but lots. So check back often for pictures and recipes. Now I just have to decide whether to start with sweet or savory and whether to start enjoying my biscotti with coffee, tea or wine! Who knew there would be so many decisions just by declaring that February is Biscotti Month!

More and More!

annie — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 02:52:35 +0000

There seems to be lots of talk these days about the wisdom of less and less. Well, I’m happy to report that we are having MORE and MORE… fun that is..in the bread classes. There seems to be more laughter, more smiles, more joy and lots more bread to take home ! So I say “Forget less and less and go for more and more!” My friends from The Fat Duck Inn and The Inn at Blackberry Creek came to bake baguettes with me. We had MORE fun than 3 people should have in a day! Fun is a good thing- especially in January!