The art of cooking together

Story and food styling by Chelsea Rose Moore |  Photos by Focal Point Creative

I’ve talked with many people who are intimidated by the prospect of baking bread at home. For those who have never done it, visions of a daylong process filled with special techniques and hours of kneading come to mind.

As a self-taught baker, I have found that bread making is one of the most rewarding mediums. For those who doubt, it is possible — and with a bit of practice, simple — to make artisan bread at home.

Greenhill wines complement a meal

James Beard wrote, “Good bread is the most fundamentally satisfying of all foods; and good bread with fresh butter, the greatest of feasts.” I would amend this to say: good bread made at home is supremely satisfying.

Bread making itself is a form of meditation. It teaches us patience. Bread takes time — to knead, to rise, to bake.

In a world of instant gratification, bread requires us to slow down and wait. We can pour a cup of tea, call a friend, finish washing the dishes, or turn on Frank Sinatra and dance with our partner. And while we are waiting, we are treated to a delicious aroma and the tantalizing expectation of what is to come.

Bread making reminds us to plan ahead: My husband and I make most of our bread from scratch, from pizza dough to tortillas to sweet breads and whole grain loaves. If we’re planning on bread with dinner, we’ll often start a day before. On slow weekends, we make bread in advance, as it can be frozen and pulled out at a moment’s notice (never fear, last minute dinner party!).

Homemade bread completes the table

I love the way homemade bread adds elegance to the humblest of dinners — light a candle, pour some wine, slice freshly baked bread and watch as your leftovers start to look more appealing.

Bread making provides us with thoughtful gifts for family and friends. My husband and I decided our holiday gifts this year will be our favorite baked items. Even better: Make it more festive by inviting friends into your kitchen and baking your favorite loaf together.

Don’t want to gift friends with bread for the holidays? Try homemade cinnamon rolls or a seeded whole grain loaf as a host or hostess gift.

Perhaps, most importantly, bread making gives us a love of others and a love of community. Food brings us together, fosters community and nurtures friendships. Human interaction is centered around food and drink, and many of my closest friendships began over a meal.

Breaking bread with family, friends and neighbors is an art we should all learn to practice more often.  ML

Dutch apple crumb pie from Nalls Farm Market