Little Red Hen
So today I got a bug in my brain and I had to make bread. I was out of whole wheat flour, and the last time I made bread I just used all white. Which was good, but I like it at least half wheat better. But I really didn’t want to go to the grocery store today. So I do what any enterprising girl (or Little Red Hen) does. I made my own. A while ago my mom gave me a L’Equip grain mill, (This one is their current model) only I have always had flour in my pantry, until now. And today was the day I broke it out of the box and gave it a whirl. (And like all those other enterprising girls who have grinders I also have 90 pounds of hard white wheat in the pantry.) And it was awesome. It was easier to turn wheat into flour than it is to turn on my tv. Literally. Easy peasy. In less than an hour I went from out of flour and hungry for bread to eating it.
1. Grinding my own wheat into flour so I can make bread today. Little Red Hen style., 2. Wheat. Here goes! #afirsttimeforeverything, 3. I made flour!, 4. And who will help me knead the dough? Kitchenaid said she’d do it. 🙂, 5. Rising., 6. Only 30 minutes to go. 🙂, 7. Big and beautiful. Also, my oven door is FILTHY!, 8. The worst part is waiting the 4 minutes till they are cool enough to cut., 9. I could eat this whole loaf by myself in one sitting. Homeground flour a success!
I posted the whole process on Instagram (@pinksuedeshoe or follow along on webstagram here). And I am just so excited about it I had to post it here too. I made flour today. And then turned that into usable food. So so awesome.
Creamie ate it too and loved it. And that made my little heart grow two sizes. Some days I feel like the worst mom in the world (I think everyone has those days). But today I took hard little bits of wheat and made food out of them that she loved. And now I want to try grinding other stuff. Red wheat, corn, barley and dry beans are all on my grinding list. And this afternoon I am taking some of that fresh ground flour and making it into cookies with her. Because I’m the mom and I get to do stuff like that. Which is awesome.
pinksuedeshoe 
That’s awesome! Yeah for home made goodness! Very inspiring, someday I’ll make bread too. Thanks for sharing your adventures.
HOW ARE WE RELATED?!
xox
It all started with this egg that split right in half…..
I’ve made a bunch of very unfortunate bread lately. So disappointing. What recipe do you use?
The only way I know how to make bread is with my Kitchenaid. But I use 2.5 cups warm water (or warm milk) 1/3 cup sugar (or honey) and 1/4 cup oil (or soft but not melted butter). Then add 1.5 tablespoons SAF (brand name) Instant yeast and 2 teaspoons of salt. Let those sit for a minute so the yeast will activate and then add 6 cups flour. Any combo of whole wheat and white, I prefer at least half and half, this batch was all wheat flour. Mix it in the mixer (with dough hook attachment) for 5 minutes, then lower the bowl and let it rise for 10 minutes. Mix another 30 seconds and then let it rise for 5 more minutes. Turn it out onto a floured surface and divide in half, shape into loafs and put the dough in 2 greased loaf pans (I use glass). Let it rise for 15-20 minutes in a warm spot and then bake in a preheated 325 degree oven for 30 minutes. Remove from the pans immediately and let it cool on a wire rack. I hope that gives you a new spot to start!
e.
Thanks so much! I’m going to try that tomorrow. Should be a delicious superbowl snack!
(This is especially great because I broke down and got a Kitchenaid a couple months ago and am always looking for excuses to play with it. I saw that KA had a pink one and just couldn’t resist!)
Ooooo! You have a professional KA!! I worked @ W-S for 5 years & never got one. (jealous) and a grain grinder?!? Wha?? So can you make me some stone ground grits? Because I can’t find any in this big, BIG city I live in. Love good mom days too.
Yes, yes you do get to do stuff like that. I love doing stuff like that. Makes me feel like not such a bad mom, too.
The bread looks delicious. I’m pinning it so I can try out your recipe. I hate when recipes call for bread makers, but kitchenaids I can do. 🙂
What a great day it was…I am excited to try your recipe with my grandson 🙂
Beautiful looking bread, I am afraid I would be sneaking down stairs in the middle of the night for a slice or two 🙂
Funny. I just told Tom today that I wanted a wheat grinder. Looks delicious. I’m trying my hand at real sour dough bread this week. Wish me luck. 🙂
Altogether lovely ! Everything looks splendid, I wish I was your neighbor, and came at the very moment of bread and jam with tea. Thank you for the wonderful recipe for using with the kitchen aid , I will be trying this soon.
I enjoy reading your blog very much.
elise