I’d like to start today’s post by saying Thank You to everyone that buzzed, shared and left a comment on my Life as a blogger post and not only.
I’m not a very talkative person, although my husband and a couple of very close friends might argue that.
A couple of weeks ago I was talking with one of my dearest friends about my blog and one of the advice was “start to share things at a more personal level, try not to be shy, I know how hard it can be, but write as if no one but you were reading it” and I did.
To be honest, when I start writing that post I had no idea it’s going to have such an impact and that many of you had the same story. I thought I was the only one left on Earth living under a rock. I’m so blessed I got to meet all of you. It’s been such a wonderful journey and I’m still enjoying the ride.
Some of you were too sweet and called me a successful blogger. Those comments made me do some dancing but when I looked outside the window I was still in rainy Virginia not in a beach house in Bora Bora (Com’on, a girl can dream)
I’m faaaaaaar from being a successful blogger, but I’m not a newbie anymore. I learned how most of the things work.
I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t have come so far without your guidance and especially for all the “Ask Chef Dennis” weekly posts.
If you are new to blogging and still have questions how this world works, please find some time and read the posts Chef Dennis kindly shares with us every week. You’ll find info about almost everything and in case you still don’t understand something, don’t hesitate and email him. I always do and he always has the right answer.
I’d also want to thank to Dionne (Try Anything Once) and Kita (Pass the Sushi) for helping me with my FaceBook Page. Thank you Ladies for taking the time to help this blond chick. I did not know how much fun facebook can be.
Finally, the recipe of the weekend!
For the first time I made artisan bread. Woo-hoo.
If you love making yeast bread and especially playing with the dough, this bread is a challenge.
First, the dough is so soft and the baker in me was tempted to add more flour. Don’t do that!
Second, you have to mix the water and flour just until incorporated, don’t knead!
Then, is the waiting time. Couple of hours for the first rise and some more for the second rise.Oh, man, takes all day!
Oh, but the result was better than I thought. A light bread with a crispy crust. This time I made just half of the recipe and shape the dough into 1 big and 2 small round breads.
One of the breads was gone before it had a chance to cool down.
But, follow the recipe and let it cool for about an hour before slicing it. While still warm, the crust was not so crispy and I found it a little elastic.
For dinner we sliced the second small one and the crust was crispy, perfect for dipping it into the oil and juices from the roasted veggies I had in the oven.
Today we had the last big bread. Tomorrow I have to make some bread again. Ahh, a baker’s job never ends 
To get the recipe for these lovely artisan breads you have to visit Chef Dennis’ blog
Thank you Chef for this wonderful recipe.
That’s about it for today, wish you all a wonderful weekend.
As usual,
Roxana
Hi! I'm Roxana, busy mom and wife. I'm a self-taught baker, wanna-be photographer and the writer behind this blog. Keep up with my baking adventures by
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{ 53 comments… read them below or add one }
This bread look fantastic…so crispy on the outside and beautifully soft on the inside..yummy! Awesome photos as always!
I think that you are pretty successful blogger, and I love coming here at you green house and enjoying your wonderful recipes..Congrats on the book…how exiting!!!
Have a wonderful rest of the night!
What a lovely bread you've made Roxana! it's great that you can open up on your blog, for me that's a bit of a challenge
Your Artisan bread looks amazing
I love making dough like that, and this kind of bread, it always turns out so yummy and perfect.
I definitely have to get Around My French Table cookbook, I hear all the best about it and want to try it so bad.
You make bread look BEAUTIFUL! I love this recipe. I keep this dough on hand all the time for a last minute loaf.
You did an excellent job with this bread. Mine NEVER looks this good!
this bread is delicios,yummy
Bread is looking excellent…you have made this so good.
The bread looks terrific! I like the part where you don't knead the best, right up my alley : ))
are you a professional photographer? How can you take like this wonderful photos? do you have any studio or some equipments regarding to photography? For example white background….
I love your recipe and photos.
Your bread looks BEAUTIFUL! Seriously, it really seems perfect, the light dusting of flour, lovely rise of the bread, airy crumb, and golden crust. I am smitten, I would probably eat most of the bread before it had cooled too!
Gorgeous looking bread! I'm still unsuccessful in the bread making arena, It won't do it's thing for me, ever! I guess I'll try this one when I've finished my detox month ;D
Painea asta superba imi aminteste de sambetele petrecute la bunica. In fiecare sambata facea paine proaspata si fasole batuta. Doamne ce bune erau!
Oh my it does look very cold outside your window.
Mandy
Your bread looks outstanding – I too have just started experimenting with bread (sorry not sure if I have told you that yet).
Hi Roxana
I have to say that bread looks better than anything I have ever made, and I knew it needed more time to rise than it said, but never having made bread before, I was a little clueless.
Thank you so much for the kind words, it has been a pleasure getting to know and I do appreciate your friendship and your support!
Cheers
Dennis
Thanks for the plug! This bread looks absolutely incredible. In fact, my husband just looked and me and said 'hey…why can't you make that?!' I just looked and him and asked him the same question
Ace post. Thanks for sharing!
That has to be the most gorgeous bread I've ever seen
Your bread looks incredibly beautiful! The photos of them are such a work of art. You have so much talent and I get really excited to visit your site and see what you have created. I hope you have a wonderful day in the garden!
This is such a beautiful bread! I want to reach through and slather it with butter and garlic and eat it all! Yummy.
Since we're dreaming, can i join you in bora bora?! I want to go there too!
Anyways, I think you've done a great job with your blog. You post delicious food and beautiful pictures!
un premiu simpatic de paste te asteapta la mine pe blog !
Were you keeping a secret that you are a master bread baker too. I don't think my loaves have ever looked that nice. I can smell it over here, I hope you had lots of butter with it. Keep up the good work.
-Gina-
I had to come read this post for the beautiful bread – it's a goal of mine to conquer yeast this year. Thank you for the sweet note. It's so nice to be in the same company as Dionne and Dennis. They are so helpful and kind.
I can't wait to see the next 15 weeks!
They look so awsm perfectly baked. Artisan bread is one of my all time fav
Your bread turned out so beautiful. It really looks awesome!
roxana, i think i am very similar to you! i am still a bit shy about sharing so many personal thoughts on my blog, but i think i might start doing that in the near future…. something we can both strive for!
the artisan bread looks AMAZING!!! i need to try making this..
There is nothing better than the scent of homemade bread in the oven on a rainy day
Your artisan bread looks fantastic!
Roxana, your bread looks just perfect, out of the oven of a bakery. See, you are a successful blogger!
Roxana, your bread looks PERFECT!!! Wow. I am such a fan of your blog…just keep taking gorgeous photos and writing from your heart…I know I'll keep visiting
This looks delicious. I love homemade bread. Beautiful pictures! They look like freshly bought fancy loaves.
You are a very successful blogger, in my eyes. You post wonderful recipes with great pictures, and you are a lovely writer. Ta-da! Recipe for success! And this artisan bread is no different, it's gorgeous!
Hi Roxana,
Its so nice of you to give credit to everyone, really liked the links which you recommend. Indeed a lot to learn. Wonderful bread….cheers !
I've just started baking more breads, so I will hold yours up as a marker in the yeasty bread category – absolutely gorgeous!
Painicile tale sunt perfecte. Adevarul e ca si mie imi place tipul asta de paine, dar dureaza asa mult pana e gata, ca nu de multe ori o fac.
Sa ai o zi buna, Roxana.
I am a total bread hound. That looks amazing!
beautiful crusty bread looks delicious
Thanks Roxana, for writing about my blog. can u send some freshly baked country bread this way….? looks amazing
That bread looks like it came out of a bakery. What a gorgeous job you did! As always, your post was wonderful to read.
Roxana…first off, if that's your first try at artisanal bread…you've certainly come a long way to encourage a non-bread maker like myself. I still haven't journeyed there yet. Yours looks so tempting…and thanks for the tips.
Now, here's my 2 cents about blogging and how personal one should really be. I'm so glad you're enjoying blogging and getting more comfortable opening yourself up a little to us. It certainly creates a very pleasurable commonality between us. However, although getting personal does give us a chance to get to know you better…too personal can also be a turn off…if you know what I mean ;o) I'll let you figure it out from there. So far, I feel you've had the perfect balance…don't change ;o)
Ciao for now and good luck with the house embellishments.
Claudia
Girl – that bread turned out fantastic!! I am slowly getting more comfortable with breadmaking. Practice and patience have been two of my favorite words as I try to make my through the world of yeast…lol. What gorgeous pictures too!!
your bread is amazing!! I love the pics, perfect light..i also do not hsare too much on my personal side, I still feel a little guarded but am working on it!! congrats on the prize
sweetlife
Holy yumminess! Roxana, that bread looks fantastic! And your photos, wow!!
Roxana, daca ai timp si iti face placere, ai niste premii la mine pe blog
Te pup si iti doresc o saptamana frumoasa!
Your bread looks great! And, you've reminded me I need to bake some bread this week. Indeed, a baker's job never ends!
The bread looks gorgeous! You are indeed a successful blogger…. we all keep coming back for more!
Beautiful job! This looks just perfect.
Your loaves look absolutely perfect and I am sure tasted just as well
Love your photos! I just made bread as well!
Your bread is absolutely perfect. I've seen it on Chef's page (he rocks, doesn't he?).
Thanks for the heads-up about Behr. When we're ready to paint, we'll avoid them. I hope everything turned out ok!
They look gorgeous! Beautiful color, crumb and slashing.
I came from yeast spotting and your recipe popped out to me! Looks tasty I'll have to try it! Come by next week to my blog where I have a linky party called A Themed Baker's Sunday. This week is chocolate but next week is bread! I'd love to see what you'll bring! http://cupcakeapothecary.blogspot.com/search/label/A%20Themed%20Bakers%20Sunday
Alyssa
It's time! Bread is the theme this week! Hope to see you there!
Alyssa
Oh, this looks good. I think I found my bread to have with dinner tomorrow night! Thanks for sharing!
I am so going to try and make this bread.