Dude, crumpets sound like they are worth trying. I just said to my wife, "we should start making our own bread", she agreed enthusiastically. I'm going to start making it part of my Sundays. Thanks for the unintended inspiration.
No problem! I've just started planning on making my own bread as well, even told my wife I want a pizza stone and pizza peel for my birthday. I've been reading Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day which has a nice method for making mixed dough which lasts for up to two weeks. Going to try a first batch this week sometime.
What a great link, I was just browsing the site and it looks fantastic. Do you have their cook-book or do you just use their site? I think I'll try my grandmothers bread recipe first, then I was planning on asking cliffelam for his -I know he's an avid bread maker. Then, I want to learn how to make the perfect brioche. -The perfect bread.
King Aurthur No Knead Bread. Easy peasy. Except I use gold medal bread flour as it's as good (or dang close) and 50% the price. KA is employee owned and that's groovy, but Gold Medal seems to produce a profit at half the price. Hmmmm. Anyway, good bread. Let them eat cake.
Thanks a bunch! Here's the recipe if others are interested. It does sound pretty damned easy.
I got their cookbook so I'll be starting with that. Brioche is definitely something I want to try to make as well, along with the amazing cranberry loaf I had at the Westin Bayshore on my honeymoon.
I love Westin's. The "heavenly bed" always puts me out like a light. When I travel, I always try to stay at one, even if it's a bit pricier nothing beats a good nights sleep. Good luck with the cranberry loaf, you'll have to share that recipe and how it turns out.