After missing the last two Daring Bakers challenges I completed this one with two whole days to spare (a first for me I think) and once more all eleventy squillion of us are rising to the challenge with bread. Mary and Sara chose Julia Childs French bread to be a little more precise. Julia Child has not had such a deep impact on this side of the Atlantic, as we have Darina and the UK has Delia, but in the States she introduced a whole generation to the art of French Cookery. I only seem to bake bread when being bossed around by my fellow DBers but I confess I really enjoyed this challenge.
Bread is one of the great levellers. Since the most ancient times humans have broken bread together and almost all cultures have there own signature loaf (any number of flat breads, ciabattas, pumpernickels, soda breads, baguettes...). I say fie to dietician type people who think that bread has no nutritional value, I'll happily eat it with nothing but several inches of butter but some mature cheddar, crisp little gems and home-made Bramley apple and sage chutney might make it a little more well rounded. There are the Ladas of bread vehicles and then there are the classic Jaguars. I know which one sends shivers up and down my spine.
There's no getting around the fact that this recipe takes all day. Most of this time is spent thinking of jobs not to do while waiting for the dough to rise. The secret of this recipe is patience as those bubbles need to take their sweet time forming. It's worth every yeasty minute though when you end up with a chewy-crusted, soft doughed loaf with that slightly sour note that will see you turning up your nose at supermarket bread forevermore. It's an addictive thing working with yeast, when it works you're ecstatic, when it doesn't, heartbroken but hopefully willing to try again.
You'll have to go to Mary to get the recipe but be careful not to let the bread bugs bite.
Your loaves look great! I hadn't thought of making a sandwich with them, but that's a fabulous idea!
Posted by: Dianne | February 29, 2008 at 10:44 PM
Yes because I believe I've been bitten really big time with the bread bug.
Your loaves are excellent.
Posted by: MyKitchenInHalfCups | February 29, 2008 at 11:47 PM
Looks really good! Best of luck at the awards tomorrow. Hope to see you there!
Posted by: Kieran | March 01, 2008 at 12:15 AM
fantastic loaves..but not fair showing them filled with delicious things!
Posted by: marye | March 01, 2008 at 01:56 AM
Good gracious those look delicious! What could be better than this French bread? Obviously this French bread with cheese and chutney. Delicious!
Posted by: Gretchen Noelle | March 01, 2008 at 02:07 AM
Great job. I have heard of the Bramely apples, but havent had the opportunity to taste. One day in my travels.
Posted by: courtney | March 01, 2008 at 02:19 AM
That is an absolutely awesome looking sandwich. Great looking little loaves. I think I'm going to make some more bread tomorrow, and maybe some of that chutney. But we don't have bramley apples in this part of the world. I had one once in England and I thought it was about the best apple I ever ate.
Posted by: Molly W | March 01, 2008 at 02:24 AM
Laura, the sandwiches look so fantastic and you are right, once the "bread bug bites" you are hooked forever.
Thanks for joining Sara and I this month on the challenge.
Posted by: breadchick | March 01, 2008 at 02:36 AM
Awwwweh! That sandwich looks sooooo appetizing I could simply not resist leaving a comment! (I guess by letting you know, I just feel a little closer to it! LOL)
Great Job on the bread!
Posted by: Vibi | March 01, 2008 at 03:00 AM
Laura, these are perfect loaves. I went to the gym, cleaned the house and cleaned out my pantry during the rise and rise of this bread. LOL!
Posted by: Meeta | March 01, 2008 at 12:47 PM
Gosh, chutney and cheese? That's sheer genius!
Posted by: maria~ | March 01, 2008 at 02:32 PM
Simple yet divine! With the little rope tie and everything...absolutely delectable.
Posted by: PaniniKathy | March 01, 2008 at 07:16 PM
Lovely bread, and the sandwiches look very tasty!!
Posted by: Andrea | March 01, 2008 at 07:51 PM
Nice looking bread. The sandwich sounds nice and tasty.
Posted by: Kevin | March 01, 2008 at 08:06 PM
Ooh I like it, it looks lovely!
Posted by: Jenny | March 02, 2008 at 02:03 AM
there have been a lot of good looking pictures of bread around today, but this might be my favorite - you can't go wrong with a sandwich. chutney and cheddar with fresh bread? to. die. for.
Posted by: michelle @ thursday night smackdown | March 02, 2008 at 02:57 AM
WOW ! wow! you did so well! amazing pitures too. Salute to you chef! my eyes are drooling now!
Posted by: Big Boys Oven | March 02, 2008 at 04:47 AM
Well, you more than made up for your last couple of missing challenges...well done.
Posted by: peabody | March 02, 2008 at 08:52 AM
I confess: serious case of bread bugs here! Love your sandwich and that pic of the breads in the towel is so grand!
Posted by: baking soda | March 02, 2008 at 09:01 AM
Ohhh, I wish I would have eaten mine as a beautiful sandwich like yours. Great job!
Posted by: Deborah | March 02, 2008 at 03:25 PM
Lovely pictures! Thanks for baking with us.
Posted by: Sara | March 02, 2008 at 04:47 PM
Lovely pictures! Thanks for baking with us.
Posted by: Sara | March 02, 2008 at 04:47 PM
You know, I've already had dinner ... but I want a sandwich now, just looking at your wonderful ones! Good job!
Posted by: DaviMack | March 02, 2008 at 07:47 PM
WOW. That sandwich is to DIE for. Great job!!!
Posted by: Lesley | March 03, 2008 at 03:43 AM
AMAZING bread.. can I have one of those sammiches? pleeease?? I'll do anything you ask.. you can have my soul.. *clears throat* anyway.. really well done. Congratulations... you are AWESOME!
Posted by: Miss Ifi | March 03, 2008 at 08:37 PM