German Baking

Well, about 2 weeks ago I decided I really wanted to attempt to make  bread.  We are spoiled here as we get fresh baked bread a few times a week. The bread usually lasts  a day or two.  That being said, I decided I really want to learn how to make fresh bread before we ever move back to The States.  What better time to start then now.  So I had bought a package kit from the store for baurenbrot .  It tasted good but there were some obvious issues.  Here is a pic of my first ever homemade bread made by hand and kneaded by hand.

It looks pretty good for a first try and I was happy with it.  It did not rise in the oven and was a little dense, but I was happy and it was tasty.

After making this bread I did some research on the web and I have decided to take the German baking further.  I would like to make Sundays my German cooking day with desserts, dinner, and  of course bread.  Later in the week I decided to give it another try.  This time I made it from scratch by hand.  It had the same issues, no rise in the oven and it was dense, but it looked a little better. I made Dinkelbrot

 

A few days later I wanted to make another attempt at bread, but before so I did some research. I learned that my bread was not making its final rise in oven the because it was forming a crust upon entering the oven keeping the bread from rising.  To prevent the crust you slash the dough right before it enters the oven ( I was doing it when I was forming the bread and letting it stand before it goes in the oven) and you preheat the oven with water in the oven, as well as,  bake the bread with water in the oven. I was putting the water in when I was putting the bread in.  I use a small loaf pan and put water in.  The water forms a condensation in the oven, which  prevents the bread from forming this crust so it can rise. 

 

My third loaf of bread was sunflower bread which did rise in the oven. 

 

It was by far my best try yet, however something was still wrong.  Maybe I wasn't kneading it well enough?  I have no clue what I am doing as far as kneading I just knead and pray.  It says punch the bread and fold.  So for my fourth attempt, which was yesterday, I literally punched the crap out of the dough before folding.  Let me tell you its a great stress relief you ought to try it!!!  I don't know if it was the yeast( we have what is called a würfel or cube of yeast here. I have never seen it in the states but this was the first recipe that called for it.) the kneading, or just the recipe, but this bread was amazing!!!  It was like I bought it and a professional made it.  I don't mean to toot my own horn but I was really shocked.  Even this morning at breakfast it was still so delicious!!! 

 

Now I call this the odd looking monster bread,  because I tried to make it look nice but when it had its final rise in the oven it didn't form as I had planned.  From one side it looks nice but the other side you can see what I mean.  This bread is Weizen-Dinkel Brot, it has flaxseed, sesame seed, oats, and sunflower seeds in it.  Its forms a crunchy crust with a loose inside ( that is how it translates any way).  I think They just mean a nice soft flaky inside.  Here are the pics, see for yourself!!

 

I haven't attempted any desserts or actual dinners yet. Last weekend we were at a Festival and decided to eat dinner there.  This weekend I just didn't think about it to be honest.  If I have time and can prepare properly this week, I would like to make my attempt at schnitzels and some sort of tasty treat.  This is our last full week here before we head to The States for a few weeks, so I would like to try to make at least one meal.  If I do I will post next week about it. 

Saturday last week we were in town at the festival, and we stopped to get something to make for dinner on the grill. We got some Irish rib eye steaks and Kevin bought some wine and beer.  Since we are doing a German baking post I thought this would be appropriate to post this here.  Kevin found quite a surprise at the store and had to purchase it.  In American a typical beer is .33L .  Here in Germany the typical beer size is .5L On the left in the picture below is an average German beer. On the right  is an Oktoberfest beer that Kevin purchased!!

 

 

It's hard to tell from the picture but it's a 2L beer.  We have never seen this before so of course we had to buy it.  We may have to buy one more to bring back with us in August to share!!! 



Well, I know I keep saying I have a lot to share but this week was busy and I will try to get an Ivy post up in the next few days!! 

Ivy's got style, a cool 2 year old style

I have to say, having a toddler can be supper fun and crazy despite the tantrums and the other dreaded terrible 2 episodes.  One way to help toddlers feel like they have more control is to let them pick out there clothes for the day and let them feel like they are making some of there own choices.  Ivy loves that I let her pick out her clothes and honestly she does a great job.  I let her walk out of the house most days with what ever she chooses, with in reason.  If its cold and she wants shorts I try to steer her away and make a few other suggestions that she may like.  I don't tell her "no", I just let her know that it may be a little cold for her and then I throw out a few options and she either picks one or finds something she likes better.  So here are a few pics of some of her more cute and trendy looking decisions!!
                                                    First up its hat on backwards and shades!!! 

Kevin and I didn't think it was cold enough for that hat but hey we aren't going to argue with her.

The next look is how she wanted to dress one day to kindergarten and kindertanzan.  She actually reminded me of Punky Brewster in a more cute and sassy sort of way.  She wore what we call crazy pants, a glitter skirt that she got from Olivia, and a cute shirt to match.  Here is a pic or 2 of that outfit.

    
                                               

 

One thing Ivy likes to do is to pull her socks up to her knees, even if they are not designed that way.  So I guess next year I will have to get some knee high socks for her.  Here is a pic of her in her PJ's with her socks pulled up to her knees. Maybe she is just trying to tell me that she wants to go horseback riding?

 

I love this little girl she has so much character. 

Ivy has confiscated my smallest purse and she loves to play with it around the house.  Recently, she has been putting a few of her little figures in it and taking it with us when we go out.  The first time she did this was Kevin's and my 7th Anniversary dinner.  She was so cute walking down the sidewalk.  Here is a little video of her in a dress, sunglasses, carrying our purse that night.

 

One day , Ivy decided to be goofy and put her underwear on the outside of her clothes.  They were clean ones so don't worry about this next part.  Then she took them and put them over her head and I was able to shoot a few pics and a video of her being silly!!!

 

This week we went to a grocery store I had not been to, but wanted to try.  I don't usually go grocery shopping when I have Ivy these days but we were out of a few things so I decided to take her.  Well, they had a grocery cart just her size.  Let me tell you she was so overly excited it was cute.  She loves when I let her grab items I need off the shelf.  So not only was she grabbing items for me but she also got to push the cart. Here are 2 short clips!! 

Well, I hope you got your good dose of Ivy. Sorry it has taken me so long to post, I hadn't realized it had been 3 weeks.  I have 2 other posts in my drafts.  I will finish them up and let you see those in the next couple of days!! Hope you all had a Great 4th of July weekend!!!