A Brioche Loaf + Giving Thanks

Some 10-15 years ago I would’ve never dreamed that I would be well into the fourth year of blogging that too about food. I mean that many years ago I knew nothing of food except that I loved my moms cooking. Since starting this blogging thing, my life has changed. And so much for the better. I have come to know the most wonderful ingredients (still learning) and the most fantastic people.

It is no secret that my life in Holland has been pretty isolating. And in those difficult times (as sappy as this may sound!) I made a friend far away. Now she may not know this but she helped me a lot. Her name is Emilie and she is the amazing blogger behind The Clever Carrot. Her recipes are so simple and so so good. I guess I’m somewhat a veteran of the Indian kitchen and for me simple just doesn’t happen. I am in awe of the simplicity of her dishes and she inspires me everyday. She was/is the first friend I made in the blogging sphere and I am deeply happy to have met her.

As I continue to look for challenging recipes and try and fuse cuisines as much as I can, trying hard on a weekly basis to challenge myself, bread making always has me running screaming in fear. Oh because I am well known for not doing something for the fear of failure. Yup! that’s me.

As much as we cook a lot in India, at least growing up, there were some things that we just didn’t make at home. I guess there was that thrill of eating some things away from home. Things we didn’t get to make or ever eat at home. We make Indian bread fresh everyday but the kind of bread we get to buy in grocery stores, no way! You would never find anyone in India making that at home. I guess that was deeply engraved in me.

And then I tried Emilie’s brioche buns and I met with success. Oh how I gleamed with joy! I mean I could not believe that I did it.

A few weeks ago Emilie posted her recipe for the Brioche Loaf and I was sold. So I’m looking at the pictures of her loaf and I get this silly smile on my face and mini brioche loaves in my eyes! You know what I mean?! 🙂

This recipe is perfect and I made it without a kitchen aid. I do want to say it is possible to do it without a machine and if you like working with your hands like I do, this bread or any bread is extremely therapeutic to make. The dough though is sticky. Very very very sticky. But as Emilie explains, do not be alarmed. Once it rests it is easier to handle. And it was.

Note: Since I have some experience making Indian bread, once you have kneaded the bread for about 5-8 minutes, handling it in all its stickiness, picking it up to transfer to a bowl for resting might be a challenge. Simply rub your hands with some oil before picking it up and placing it in a well oiled bowl for resting. It was very easy doing it that way. 

The result of all that kneading was the most beautiful looking loaf I have ever seen. Seriously I am in love.

Please visit Emilie’s blog here for the recipe.

Other blogs that are an inspiration to me on a daily basis and give me a reason to continue doing what I am doing:

Asha of Food Fashion Party. Her dishes are to die for, her photography beautiful. Week after week of deliciousness.
Emily of Gather and Dine. Her blog is so beautiful and her recipes so wholesome. Beautiful work.
Tiffany of Oh Honey Bakes. I don’t have a sweet tooth but looking at her work I think I might change my mind!
Laura and Nora from Our Food Stories. I’m in love with how gorgeous their recipes and pictures are.