Bread and Butter

Today I am looking for the best bread recipe I can find.  As an aspiring baker (in my dreams) I think it's a good idea to start with something as basic as bread.  Once I can master a good, hearty, healthy loaf of bread, I can go anywhere.  It's so simple, but at the same time so complex.  How do those European bakeries get it so perfect?  And why is that so hard to find in the U.S.?  At least, in Stillwater, Oklahoma I have yet to find a quality bakery.  I firmly believe that every town should have a local bakery to supply the people with their daily bread. 
But back to the bread.  I want to make a simple, everyday bread.  Probably wheat, maybe with oats or seeds. 
Anyone know of a simple, delicious, from-scratch bread recipe?

After doing a little research a while back, I did find a couple of bakeries in Oklahoma City and Tulsa that offer some fresh and delectable baguettes and croissants, as well as some sweet treats and pastries.

Stonehorse Market, Utica Square, Tulsa
The Stonehorse Market and Cafe are a side-by-side, charming and quaint, yet sophisticated shop and restaurant.  They sell many wonderful ingredients foreign to the typical grocery store, like lentils, dried shiitake mushrooms, fresh mozarella, a great salad bar, and, of course, beautiful breads.  I've stopped by this market on several trips to Tulsa to bring home a big brown bag of indulgence.  The baguettes, challah, croissant, and raisin walnut loaf are wonderful.

I have to rave a bit here.  A few months back, just as the Christmas decorations and carols began adorning the calm buzz of Utica Square, I celebrated the end of a one-month, intensive weekend class with lunch at Stonehorse Cafe.  I ate the deliciously fresh and flaky rolls, a divine cup of crab bisque, a fresh tossed salad, and a glass of wine on the outdoor patio, watching the shoppers pass by and basking in the sunshine of an unseasonably warm afternoon -- and all for under fifteen dollars!  It was magnificent, the perfect reward for my hard work.

Ingrid's Kitchen, Oklahoma City
I have not actually made the trek to Ingrid's yet, but I am planning to treat myself to a trip there in the near future.  It appears to be full of German tradition and grandmothers' recipes. 
I want to meet Ingrid and listen to her stories of the Old Country.  I know, I get carried away...
The website is certainly tempting.  Who wouldn't want to indulge in an authentic German roll or sweetbread?

Ingrid's was featured on Food Network's "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives," so you know it's good! 

Persimmon Hill Farm, Stillwater
As I spend the majority of my time in Stillwater, I've tried many of the local bakers' fare.  Persimmon Hill sells their bread, jams, and other treats at the Stillwater Farmer's Market every week year round. (I will include more about the Stillwater Farmer's Market in many posts to come.)  They grow many of their own ingredients, such as the produce that they sell whole and that goes into their zucchinni bread, pumpkin bread, jellies, and many other divine creations.

If you find yourself craving bread in the culinary mecca that is Oklahoma (I joke), I highly recommend you try one or all of these fabulous gems.

Until then, I'll let you know how my homemade bread quest ensues...
To offer suggestions, comments, tips, or critiques, send an e-mail to eatwriterun7@gmail.com.

Digging in

For as long as I can remember, my sisters referred to me oh-so-affectionately as "Jane the pain that's insane with no brain."  I think, by now, I've grown into a brainier, more sane person; though, I'm sure they'll debate that.  
My days center around nutrition classes, a hospital, dog-walking adventures with my faithful friend of 9 years (Roxy), cooking -- especially baking, and Skype calls with my overseas sisters.  

 Through this blog I hope to share my ideas and fun findings revolving (quite broadly) around food and nutrition from the U.S. and abroad.  It is an assortment of facts, tips, news, treats, and some occasional ramblings regarding health, food, policy, and life.
One of my favorite hobbies is food shopping.  From gourmet to outdoor, bargain supercenter to side-of-the-road farm stand, I could wander the aisles (or sidewalks) all day.  I love to see how people everywhere seek out their sustenance; what and how do people everywhere eat?  It seems simple and, perhaps, silly, but food is a way of life.  Through the eyes of a nutritionist I see the effects food has on life, well-being, and our ability to thrive. 

I've visited all sorts of supermarkets, restaurants, cafes, and markets from up and down the East Coast, WalMarts and farmers' markets of Oklahoma, the Food Temple of Hannover, Germany, cafes in Berlin, Rome, and Naples, and elementary school cafeterias of Slovakia.  I have been blessed with opportunities and friendships which have taught me the high value all people possess.  By being healthy people, we can live full and productive lives.  We can be active and do things, rather than sit back and waste our precious little time away.


My final months of college are passing quickly and the fear of my unknown future is setting in.  I'm quite confident that whatever is next for me will be the right thing. So, for now, I'm exploring all the exciting options that lay before me.  Will my next phase be an internship in dietetics?  Or will I visit my sister and Kiwi in-laws in New Zealand?  Shall I pursue my passions for food, language, and travel and apprentice an artisinal baker in Paris?  Or will I take a more practical path and move back in with my parents to save money (surprise, Mom and Dad!) ?  What about following my track to land an editing position at a nutrition publication? 
Oh so many options!  If you know of anyone hiring, you know where to find me...  ;-)