We are surrounded by many different “trends” every day. Fashion is a big one. And there are financial trends, and weather trends, and definitely food trends. Before I discovered food blogging, I never really knew there were food trends. I just kind of made what I wanted, without realizing what the world around me was doing. But my eyes have been opened – in a good way. There are 2 big trends I’ve noticed in the food blogging world lately. The first is Dorie Greenspan. I think her newest book has taken over the blogging world. I’d be surprised to find more than a handful of food bloggers that haven’t heard about her, or that don’t have the book. The second trend that has hit us lately is the book Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day by Jeff Hertzberg and Zoe Francois. It’s like the no-knead bread that took the world by storm a while back, but everyone claims this is even better. So when I was lucky enough to win a copy of this book from Jaden awhile back, I was ecstatic. When I received the book, I read all of the beginning instructions many times. But being the procrastinator that I am, it took me a couple of weeks until I finally decided to try it out.

I love bread. I could eat it with every meal. But then I’d have to buy a whole new wardrobe, because unfortunately, I don’t have a metabolism that can handle bread at every meal! So while I love to make bread, I don’t do it a whole lot. And since there are only 2 of us, I thought I’d be safe making a half batch of this. I mixed everything up and stuck it in the fridge to be made another day.

I got 2 loaves out of a half recipe. The first loaf I made to serve with our Valentine’s Day dinner. And do you know what? It really does take 5 minutes or less of hands on time, and I was able to make this after work and have hot bread on the table for dinner. I did have a little problem with that first loaf, though. This is the picture of the front of the bread – it looks pretty…
And this was the back. I don’t know what happened, but part of the underside did something funky and blew out the bottom!! I had a good laugh about it, but it didn’t affect the taste at all. My husband and I ate the whole loaf at dinner that night, still hot from the oven. We dipped it in some olive oil, and it was almost like we were eating out!
The second loaf is the one that is pictured at the top of this post. It turned out better all the way around. As much as I enjoyed the first loaf, the second one was even better!! I was able to shape and slash it a little better (I’m getting better at this every time!) and I loved the taste of it even more. It says in the book that the longer the dough sits in the fridge, the more of a sourdough flavor it will take on, and it really does.

So is this bread really worth all of the hype around it?? You bet it is! Not only is it way easier than traditional bread making, but it is way faster, and the only way I can have fresh bread on the table for dinner while working all day long!!

Check out these other breads made from this book. And if these posts don’t make you want to run out and buy the book, I don’t know what will!

Sticky Pecan Caramel Cinnamon Rolls (and links to others she has made) from Steamy Kitchen
No Knead Brioche with Pink Almond Praline from Tartlette
Challah from Jumbo Empanadas
Raspberry Filled No Knead Doughnuts from Sticky, Gooey, Creamy, Chewy
Brioche Filled with Chocolate Ganache from My Kitchen Treasures

Recipe to come (I forgot my book at home!)