Sunday, January 9, 2011

beer+bread.

I just re-discovered beer bread. Yes, I know that may not be very exciting for you, but it is for me. It's kind of like that time I discovered I like mustard. Only better, because, unlike mustard, I can make an entire meal out of beer bread. And I do...mostly because I'm too poor to go to the grocery store right now, but also because it's like eating little slices of heaven. I don't know why I haven't been making this in the past, because beer and bread are probably my two favorite food groups. On my food pyramid, bread is on the bottom and beer is on the second tier. I also eat ice cream, frozen pizza, oranges and cheese.

Julie's food pyramid.
And no, I don't want to talk about why it's inverted or why I don't know how to draw a triangle on my computer and had to take a picture of one with Photo Booth.

My mother has started calling me a fraulein, which I'm guessing just means a little German girl who likes good beer. Now before you sign me up for AA, I just want to make it clear that beer is a condiment to my life, not a main course. Don't worry. Trust me, I wouldn't be buying New Belgium beers if I had a problem.

Anyway, this week I baked beer bread. And it's insanely easy to make. And I've eaten it for every meal. And here's the recipe:

3 cups flour
1/3 cup sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
12 oz beer
3 tablespoons melted butter

First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees, because there is nothing more annoying than waiting for an oven to preheat. Second, mix the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt together in a mixing bowl. Then pour in the beer. I used New Belgium Trippel. Next time, (meaning tomorrow morning when I finish off the loaf I just made) I'm going to make it with a stout. Mix it all in the mixer until it is doughy. Then, put it into a greased 5x9-inch pan. Now, POUR THE MELTED BUTTER ON TOP OF THE DOUGH. That part is in all caps because it's so exciting. Bake for 50-60 minutes. Oh my wow.

And, on a different and slightly terrible note, I have a huge blister on my foot from my running shoes. Thus, if you need me, I will be sitting on my couch eating beer bread instead of exercising.

5 comments:

  1. you should make some with christmas ale like flatbranch does in the winter. and then invite me over to eat bread :).

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  2. MMMmmmmm. Good post. I especially like the illustrations.

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  3. I miss you. And your KitchenAid stand mixer. That was literally the first item on my wedding registry because yours changed. my. life.

    You might benefit from a bread machine!

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  4. YUM! I love me some beer bread. And I love that you have a blog too!!

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  5. We have very similar food pyramids... except that I don't really like beer. That second slot would probably be cream cheese. Yes, I know it is a cheese, but in my book it deserves it's own category :-)

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