Must be Christmas time! I just spent most of the evening up to my elbows (actually, just fingertips) in bread dough, making the first loaves of holiday bread that I will serve to guests and give as gifts to most everyone I meet throughout the season.
And this year, I have actual currants, not the make-believe currants, really small dried grapes, that are being sold in stores as Zante currants. The loaves I made this evening have pecans, currants and golden raisins in them. Each set of 3 loaves is probably going to be different, because I like to play with all the dried fruits and nuts. I have dates and almonds and raisins and cherries and blueberries, too. I just don’t like that heavily candied too-sweet stuff.
I love the whole process – buying the organic ingredients, setting up the kitchen to streamline the operation, putting all the dry ingredients including the yeast together, heating all the wet stuff (water or milk and butter), letting the mixer do a lot of the work, then creating that great texture by kneading the dough.
The 6 loaves I just finished are rising in the fridge over night. I’ll bake them in the morning, and enjoy that wonderful aroma. Aaaahhhhh. Life is soooo good! Happy Christmas!