The Fresh Loaf

A Community of Amateur Bakers and Artisan Bread Enthusiasts.

I'm back!

Mebake's picture
Mebake

I'm back!

It has been a while since i have posted any thread, baked any bread, or joined in any conversation with the TFL community. 3 months have elapsed since the day i had my spine fused, and i now feel good, and have recuperated enough to be able to bake bread again.The bread shown is one of my favorites: Hamleman's Whole Wheat Multigrain.

As far as pain, it is mild, yet tolerable. I have removed the brace now, so i can bend easily.

It is worth mentioning that i had kept my BDS (aka Baking deprivation syndrome) at bay by engaging in yet another addiction (like i need one). I have sketched away for days and weeks, and sought to increase my skills at drawing/digital art, and have been pleased with the results. Anyway, enough about me, and here is the bread:

With soaked millet/buckwheat/roasted sunflower seeds/Flaxseeds, and wholewheat freshly milled at home, this bread is mindblowing! Superior to any multigrain bread i have tasted.

I'm glad to be back!

Khalid

Comments

linder's picture
linder

And a great way to come back - nice bake - love the seediness of the bread, the open crumb, great crust too. 

Linda

Mebake's picture
Mebake

Thank you Linda.

Franko's picture
Franko

So good to have you back with us Khalid and a true pleasure to see the results of your baking skill on these pages once again. The crumb/crust of your loaf looks superb, and very moist and light for a whole grain formula. A well mixed and fermented dough to be sure!

Good to hear your feeling well and that the ordeal you've been through these many months is finally drawing to a close my friend.

All the best,

Franko 

Mebake's picture
Mebake

I'm glad to be back amongst you guys, it feels great. Thank you Franko.

varda's picture
varda

I was worried that you had vanished and I missed you and your beautiful bread.   So happy to see you back.   And wonderful to see you baking again at your customary excellence.  -Varda

Mebake's picture
Mebake

Thanks, Varda! much appreciated.

breadsong's picture
breadsong

Hi Khalid,
It is so good to hear you are recovering - so happy to see you are milling and baking again.
Your bread is beautiful, with all of those seeds, and your freshly-milled flour...
My very best to you!
:^) breadsong

Mebake's picture
Mebake

Thanks alot breadsong. My wife had to bring down the heavy mill for me, i wouldn't have milled anything otherwise, so thanks for her!

davidg618's picture
davidg618

Good to know you are mending well.  Share a sketch or two?

David G

Mebake's picture
Mebake

I have been maintaining a sketchbook on conceptart.org here is the link:  http://conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?251443-Miscellaneous-Sketches 

davidg618's picture
davidg618

Your sketches must have been excellent therapy! I've sent you a message about one especially.

Nice!

David G

yy's picture
yy

A fine way to begin your comeback! It's good to hear that your recovery has gone well. I second what David G said - I'd love to see some of your art. 

Mebake's picture
Mebake

Thanks, yy! I have posted a link in reply to david's request above. 

dabrownman's picture
dabrownman

nice baking Khalid.  I see your bread skills are none the worse for ware.  Glad your back allows you to bake again after such a short time recuperating.  It's also good to see another artist at work while not baking :-)

Happy Baking

Mebake's picture
Mebake

I have cheated and baked one month back :) so it isn't my first. I love drawing since i was a kid, and it kept me energized during the dull bed days. 

Thanks DA! 

rossnroller's picture
rossnroller

And this time, I checked the date of your post to make sure I didn't mess up again!

Terrif looking bread. Love that crumb. Bet it was delish!

Cheers!
Ross

Mebake's picture
Mebake

Yeah its for real this time. thanks again, Ross :)

Our Crumb's picture
Our Crumb

I thought I posted a Welcome Back comment here earlier today but it must have got lost in space (or more likely I got distracted and never clicked Save).  Anyway -- great to see you back at it.  Only one cure for BDS: a strict regime of regular baking.

Best of health and baking!

Tom

Mebake's picture
Mebake

Thanks, Tom! i also thank you for reminding me of my other hobby:sketching\drawing, it has helped me immensely. 

 

dmsnyder's picture
dmsnyder

Welcome back to bread baking! The multigrain WW looks delicious. I don't believe I've made that one, but, with your endorsement, I must do so.

I'm so glad your back is better. Take care of it.

David

Mebake's picture
Mebake

Oh please do try it, i strongly recommend it. 

Always nice to hear from you.

Isand66's picture
Isand66

Welcome back my friend!  I was just thinking of sending you a message as I missed your comments and posts.  I'm so happy you are getting better and hopefully living without the constant pain as before.

You could have posted a lead brick and I think we all would have been happy just to hear from you :).  By the way your bread looks and sounds great and a must try.

So glad to see you posting and baking again.

P.S. I checked out your sketches.....very nice.  I unfortunately have very little drawing talent so i have to stick to bread baking :).

Regards,
Ian

Mebake's picture
Mebake

Thank you Ian!

I appreciate your kind words. I haven't got my spine x-rayed yet, but the bone seems to have healed well. I can't say i'm totally satisfied, but i believe that i'm on the right path to proper healing. 

As to my drawings, i'm glad you liked them. i, however lack your talent of mixing in exotic yet flavorful ingredients in bread, i'm not the type. 

Anyway, i hope your back is safe and sound, Ian.

Crider's picture
Crider

from that difficult procedure. Hope it becomes completely satisfactory. I love sunflower seeds in baked goods, but I admit I've overlooked them lately. Your loaf is inspiring.

Mebake's picture
Mebake

Thank you Crider! You should try this recipe, i got hooked to it ever since i bought the book. 

Our Crumb's picture
Our Crumb

Just looked at your sketches.  All I can say is...(see subject line).

!!

I'm looking forward  "Still Life with Couche" or some such thing...  hand drawn crumb shots.  That'd raise the bar!

Tom

Mebake's picture
Mebake

I thought of doing that :) Hamelman's Bread contains such art.

thanks for visiting my sketchbook, Tom!

Janetcook's picture
Janetcook

Hi Khalid,

So glad to hear you are doing better!  I am also glad to hear you found a new pastime.  I took a peek and your sketches are beautiful! (love your screen name :-) I often wonder what I would do if I couldn't bake because for me it is such a creative outlet more than anything else.  I guess we all do find a way as you have demonstrated :-)

Welcome back and Take Care,

Janet

Mebake's picture
Mebake

Thanks Janet! i'm glad you peeked into my SB. i'm fortunate to have a second hobby that helps take the stress out of a routine life. 

Thanks for the welcome!

ananda's picture
ananda

Hi Khalid,

what a fine way to bring an end to your BDS; it's really good to read your posts again

All good wishes

Andy

Mebake's picture
Mebake

Thanks Andy! I Hope your baking profession is doing alright.

 

LindyD's picture
LindyD

Great to see you're able to get back to baking, Khalid.  That's got to feel great - but do pace yourself and don't overdo it.

Lovely bread and artwork!  

Lindy

Mebake's picture
Mebake

Thanks, Lindy! 

That is precisely why i don't bake any recipe other than the usuals nowadays :)

 

pmccool's picture
pmccool

Even better because you are healing, Khalid!

You obviously didn't lose your touch for baking while you were laid up, either.  That's a very appealing loaf.

Paul

Mebake's picture
Mebake

I baked twice before during my recuperation (couldn't help it), but they were mostly easy recipes and i allowed my mixer to do the job, and my wife to load/unload bread into the oven. 

Thanks Paul!

 

Floydm's picture
Floydm

Welcome back, Khalid!  Glad to hear you are on the mend.  Your bread -- and your sketches -- are lovely.

-Floyd

Mebake's picture
Mebake

I'm pleased that you liked them! I'm really grateful to your efforts at maintaining this great site, Floyd, my baking hobby wouldn't have gone far without this great community. I sincerely thank all members on this site for all their contributions. 

rayel's picture
rayel

I am so Happy that your are back! You have been missed, by all I think. I don't see how you can make a better, healthier loaf, than whole wheat multi grain. Your loaf looks beautiful.

I enjoyed looking at your drawings, they are way beyond my abilities. After three art periods per day, working in many mediums, including wood carving in the round, I do very little of it today, but can apreciate your skill. 

All the best,  Ray

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hope you are becoming progressively better and stronger healthwise.  Best regards, Ray

Mebake's picture
Mebake

Thanks for your kind words, Ray! the bread is even better toasted.

I have been sketching since childhood, but never considered being an artist ( shame on me). 

 

PiPs's picture
PiPs

Welcome back Khalid,

Sounds like you are travelling well on the road to recovery.

Cheers,
Phil

Mebake's picture
Mebake

I hope i am, Phil, thanks so much!