If you have family,

friends,

or a freezer,

never make one

loaf of bread.

It’s immoral.

I love yeast breads. There is nothing in the world like the smell of cooking bread drifting through the house. My children are so conditioned to the smell that they run to the kitchen the minute they smell the dough rising, and then they nag me like crazy until it is out of the oven and cool enough to cut. When they are done,  all I am left with is a few crumbs and a cutting board! Sheesh!

Truth is, I find it very satisfying to knead and manipulate the dough into something that is so nurturing for my family. Give it a try the old fashioned way. Roll up your sleeves and knead the dough. You can watch the gluten develop, hear the dough snap and pop under your hands, feel the softness and warmth of the dough, and smell the goodness. It is a multi sensory experience that you deny yourself by throwing everything into a bread machine.  Put the machine away, put on some relaxing music and experience the satisfaction of artisan bread handmade by someone as important as you.