Focaccia Put God First

(a few days late but I have had a lot on my mind on how to bring this post to light and how to incorporate scripture and my life into what you are about to read) 

There have been so many years that I have been wanting to find my true path in life. Being raised as catholic by my dad and his family and participating in a Christian belief from my mom and her family I found it hard to truly find the right fit. I also can say that I used to stray away, mine was a brief exploration into a Wicca stage. There were times that I found this to feel uplifting, but I still felt lost. After many, many, years of continuing in the Catholic faith just simply going through the motions of mass, receiving communion, and the endless kneeling. Last year I came completely out of my comfort zone and moved out of the state of Florida. Continuing, I started going to a church with the person who welcomed me and helped guide me. I have always been a believer that God exists and that I would maybe go to heaven to see those beautiful pearly gates and stand before Saint Peter and have a place at God's table. Not only have I believed but along with that I have often been seeking his grace and glory. But in trying to seek his grace and glory I have found that after being baptized by both beliefs (catholic and Christian) I strayed away from a life guided by Jesus.

I can say that now sixteen days into 2024 I have truly begun to fully enjoy everything there is about God. I have found a hunger in me that keeps wanting more. I want to learn as much as I can, I want to truly feel his presence in my day-to-day life with a family of my own. I can share his joy and his love through the daily breaking of bread in my home. I can see the women in my bible study filling their spiritual hunger through the breaking of bread the way God had intended.

On Sunday, January 14 there was an amazing sermon that was shared by my church’s lead pastor. There are two verses that I can say spoke out to me. He was reading from 2 Chronicles 29: 12-36. The first verse that stuck with me was:

2 Chronicles 29: 15- They gathered their brothers together, consecrated themselves, and went according to the king’s command by the word of the Lord to cleanse the Lord’s temple.

2 Chronicles 29: 17- they began the work in early spring, on the first day of the new year, and in eight days they had reached the entry room of the Lord’s temple. Then they purified the temple of the Lord itself, which took another eight days. So, the entire task was completed in sixteen days.

The reason these stuck with me is because I feel as though I have taken the time to cleanse myself of my wrongdoings by starting this journey. Meaning I started attending a church that has no judgment, has welcomed me and my daughter with open arms, started in a small group weekly (most refer to bible studies), and this year I am baking various fresh breads for my family and friends. Overall, I have started to rid myself of the toxicity in my life and feel better and happier about myself. in the second verse, it is stated that the Levites took sixteen days to fully consecrate and purify the Lord’s temple. I have taken on a task in a very different manner but it does feel as if there is a comparison. In my last post, I mentioned that I have made Artisan bread and have broken it. Just like the Levites, it took me the first eight days of the year to tweak and master the recipe. Here it is day sixteen of the year and I truly feel that after eating just over ten loaves of homemade bread I can say that I have mastered it and am ready to share the next recipe.

This brings me to another point that my pastor has shared with the church. There are various ways that people can worship and study the word of God. I am here to show you that the church I attend is more toward the new age than that of your typical Christian church. I am not saying that those who attend older versions are wrong, not by any means. I am just sharing one point of view. When I attend a sermon, whether that be at the early service (9:30 am) or the late service (11:00). Attendees (me included) are provided note cards to help us follow what the pastor is preaching about and there are blanks so that we can fill them in as he goes. I find this to be very helpful when I am listening to the sermon. Now back to my original point. In listening to the sermon, the pastor of my church shared with the assembly something that made complete sense.

                Get empty so God can fill us.

1.       The process: displacement of self, to the replacement with God

2.       The process: we must look back.

3.       The process: confusion and repentance

Overall, we know when we feel hungry. But let’s think of our spiritual hunger to know what our goal is. JOY in the supremacy of God.

Now I can say that I am not an avid Bible reader, but I do take the time to read over the chapter that was preached about on Sunday and chew on it for an hour. There is a chapter in my book that I spoke about in my previous post about scoffing and I can relate to scoffing and the feeling of envy in my foolish heart. Being a scoffer doesn’t make me any less of a Christian than the person who sits in front of me at church. But I will say that when I hear ladies speak about their bible readings and how they can go about it I’m one to not understand, but I do know some stories from the bible. For me, I have tried and continue to try but I find myself falling asleep while trying. I will be the first one to say that I much rather wait until a book comes out to a movie. For those who have absolutely no time during the day but have a lot of downtime at night, like when kids are in bed, or just want to snuggle with your significant other. Try watching The Chosen, this show has helped me in many ways. Which reminds me it comes to theaters in February, I can’t wait.

One thing that I feel makes more sense to me now than ever is the true meaning of what breaking bread means. During the Last Supper, Jesus took a tangible loaf of bread and broke it when he said, “This is my body broken for you”. There a many different symbols out there but they are just symbols that may not be a true necessity. Bread, however, is a necessity. The symbol of bread is not only in the bible but is there to help us understand that there are those of us who were not made by human hands.  

In the book I am reading, The Bread of Life, there is a section or the second chapter where the author quotes Proverbs 9:4-6 and 13-18 the words of Wisdom and Folly.

“Whoever is inexperienced, enter here! To the one who lacks sense, she says come eat my bread and drink the wine I have mixed. Leave inexperienced behind and you will live; pursue the way of understanding.” -Proverbs 9:4-6

 

 Folly is a rowdy woman; she is gullible and knows nothing. She sits by the doorway of her house on a seat at the highest point in the city, calling to those who pass by who go straight ahead on their paths. “Whoever is inexperienced, enter here! To the one who lacks sense, she says, stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten secretly is tasty! But he doesn’t know that the departed spirits are there and that her guests are in the depths of Sheol. Proverbs 9: 13-18

These two passages remind me of what the pastor was talking about in his sermon on Sunday. We all as Christians need to hear the music of the word of God. Enjoy what is being said and told. Folly may be the easy way to go if you want to be goofy and not have a meaning to what you are doing in your life.  But if you go into the house of Wisdom, you can hear the smooth joyful sound of the word of God. You will fulfill that hunger from what is provided.

Overall, I can conclude that in the next and up-and-coming post, I must share one last thought with everyone. “Therefore, my brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain of the Most Holy Place. And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house. Let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ's blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.” Hebrews 10: 19-25

We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. (Hebrews 12:2)

 

 

Rosemary and Sea Salt Focaccia

No Fuss Focaccia

Ingredients:

4 cups (544 grams) bread flour

2 tsp (6-7 grams) yeast (instant or active dry)

2 tsp (8 grams) sugar

2 cups (474 grams) water

 

Directions:

1.       Whisk the flour, yeast, sugar, and salt in a large mixing bowl.

2.       Add 2 cups of warm water and mix until the dough is formed, and the flour is all absorbed.

3.       Cover and place in a proofer or a warm spot for at least one hour. (you can make a warm spot by turning your oven to 350 letting it preheat then shutting it off and placing the dough in the oven)*

4.       Use butter to grease a 9x13 baking dish.

5.       Gently turn the dough into the greased dish and drizzle 2 tbs of olive oil onto the dough

6.       Using your fingers spread the dough out to cover the pan.

7.       Sprinkle the surface with salt or other herbs of your choice.**

8.       Let the dough rise while the oven is preheating to 425.

9.       Bake for 15 mins at 425 then lower temperature to 375 and continue to bake for 20 minutes.

10.   Let the bread cool and remove it from the baking dish.

 

*If your oven has a proofer I suggest using that but before you begin your mixing process I find if I turn on the proofer first allowing it to warm up.

** I find that the Everything Bagel seasoning is amazing and tastes exactly like an everything bagel 

 

 

Lets Break Bread

We all have talents that we want to share with our friends, family, and maybe the world. Well, I am here to take you on a journey that has taken years to make me see what I can truly have in life. Not everyone may agree with me as I explain and show my journey. Not only will I be showing what I have learned but I will attempt to answer questions that many may have.

Last year I had my eyes open to a huge battle, to new beginnings and what true happiness could really be. I am not here to preach to hungry hearts but to show what it means to be full and satisfied with what I have discovered. Let’s take a trip back to 2022. Are you ready? …Let’s go!!!!

It was the dead of summer, and I was living in NY with my daughter. We were out and about taking in the city. She started acting like a normal 2-year-old screaming and crying just throwing an all-out tantrum. She and I were sitting on a bench outside a store and as I was trying to comfort her, she kicked me causing herself to fall. Now you’re wondering why this is important. Well, I am getting to that. She falls and after many bystanders are watching and telling me that I pushed my daughter to the ground. This is the point when things explode or finally hit rock bottom. I am then taken by an officer and locked up while my daughter is placed into the system all due to false pretenses. Now I am in a battle with the Judicial and Foster Care system. The good news about this battle ended with my daughter coming back to me after seven months of court appearances, doctor appointments, and supervised visits.

Now we can jump forward to around this time last year. I was kicked out of my parent’s house living out of hotels and trying to make ends meet just to find a place to call home. Placing an ad on Craigslist to try and find some kind of help. Then one day I received an email from someone willing to help as well as open his door to my daughter (she was not with me during this time). This man was willing to show compassion to someone in need by following the bible. There is a verse from the book of Philippians 2:3-4, which urges us to value others above ourselves and look to their interests, not just our own. Now I have moved in with him. He has shown me that in Christ all things are possible. Not only has he been able to show me this but also the people of our church. After two months of living with this man I was able to get my daughter back from Foster Care and before that, I was able to battle my depression and anxiety.
 
Now we move into the next part of our journey. Over the past summer, I have become part of a church family, by volunteering for Vacation bible school, joined a bible study, and have made amazing friends along the way. Fast forwarding to what makes this a beadmaker's journey. Over Christmas I was gifted a book by Abigail Dodd entitled Bread of Life. The book goes through a series of bread recipes starting with a simple beginner’s recipe and escalating to a more difficult recipe. We as Christians know that bread is key to how Jesus did most if not all his teachings as well as the most important the Last Supper.
 
…Jesus took some bread thanked God for it and broke it. Then gave it to his followers and said, “Take this bread and eat it; this is my body.” -Matthew 26:26
 
He took five loaves of bread and two fishes and looking to heaven, he blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples and the disciples gave to the multitudes. – Matthew 19
 
These are just a few examples that show what Jesus did with bread but more importantly, we all have a hunger that only he can satisfy. Breaking bread with our friends, family, brothers, sisters, spouses, and churchgoers can bring us a sense of togetherness and closeness to Jesus.
 
Artisan Bread for beginners

Ingredients:
 6 ½ cups AP (all-purpose flour)
 1 Tsp instant yeast
 1 Tbs salt
 3 cups water

Directions:
    Night before:
1.      Whisk flour, salt, and yeast to combine.
2.      Add water and mix until dough is formed it may look shaggy.
3.      Cover the bowl and let stand for 12-18 hours (overnight)
    Day of baking:
 Put your Dutch oven or cast-iron pot with the lid in the oven at preheat to 500 degrees. 
  Turn the dough out onto a floured counter; divide with a bench scrapper or knife. Shape each into a round loaf (the dough is sticky so make sure your hands are floured and simply fold the dough onto itself as best you can don’t worry if it looks messy)
Transfer loaves to heavily floured parchment paper
 Let the loaves sit until the oven is fully preheated.
Pick up the parchment paper with the dough on it and place it in the Dutch oven. Cover it with the lid.
Turn oven down to 450 degrees and bake for 30 mins.
Remove the lid and continue to bake for 15 mins.
Remove the bread from the pot and cool it on a cooling rack.

 This is the original recipe. Just like at the beginning of this story, I have had my share of issues in attempting to make this work. The first time making this I followed the recipe and directions exactly.  The only problem was that I did not have a Dutch oven. So, naturally, the bread did not turn out the way I would have hoped. There are some minor flaws in this recipe that I have stumbled across. I am not saying that this is a bad recipe the bread is amazing. There just needs to be some clarifications on some steps, that’s where I come in. I am here to clarify.

I will tell you that being new to bread making I had no clue that you had to proof the yeast. This is done through using a ¼ cup of water per teaspoon of yeast. The water, however, needs to be warm (between 100-110 degrees). I find that proofing instant yeast gives it a head start when you add it to your dough. If using instant yeast, you don’t need to proof but if using active dry yeast make sure you proof it. This can be a bit tricky.  
Various types of flour can really make a difference in this kind of bread. I have tried AP (all-purpose} flour and I have tried bread flour. I have found that using bread flour makes a huge difference in how the bread turns out. I believe that the yeast activates more with the bread flour but both kinds of flour work well.

This is getting into the second time I made this bread I still did not have a Dutch oven and was skeptical about leaving the dough out overnight. I tried fast-forwarding the process by placing the dough in the proofer in my oven. This process took roughly 2.5 hours. I will tell you though that I did not make a full recipe to make two loaves. This second time I made it was only half a batch. This speed-up version was good but did not have the crust that should develop when baking.

Keep fast-forwarding. I was able to find a pot to make the bread in. I have made this bread twice with it and the bread turned out perfect. There are some things to still try to tweak my take on this recipe. But here is my take on how to make a super simple loaf of bread that can help feed the hunger. That hunger could be our physical hunger but most importantly our spiritual hunger.  
 
Artisan Bread for beginners
 Ingredients:
 6 ½ cups AP (all-purpose flour)
 1 Tsp instant yeast
 1 Tbs salt
 3 cups water (warm water)
 Directions:
     Night before:

 Proof yeast in either a small measuring cup or small bowl (1/4 cup warm water (100- 110
degrees) and 1 tsp yeast)

    Whisk flour, salt, and yeast to combine.
  Add warm water and mix until dough is formed. It may look shaggy.
    Cover the bowl and let stand for 12-18 hours (overnight) in the microwave.
     Day of baking:
 Put your Dutch oven or cast-iron pot with the lid in the oven at preheat to 500 degrees.
 Turn the dough out onto a floured counter; divide with a bench scrapper or knife. Shape each into a round loaf (the dough is sticky so make sure your hands are floured and simply fold the dough onto itself as best you can don’t worry if it looks messy)
 Transfer loaves to heavily floured parchment paper
  Let the loaves sit until the oven is fully preheated.
 Pick up the parchment paper with the dough on it and place it in the Dutch oven. Cover it with the lid.
Turn oven down to 450 degrees and bake for 30 mins.
Remove the lid and continue to bake for 15 mins.
Remove the bread from the pot and cool it on a cooling rack.

 Just a little side note. In making the dough last night I tried something a bit different with the yeast. In doing some research I found that there is a chemical reaction between yeast and flour turning the gluten that is in flour into sugar. So, in proofing the yeast I maintained my teaspoon of yeast, but I added a ½ tsp of sugar to it to help it bloom. I noticed that my first loaf of bread that was baked off did not dome as much as the previous loaves. There was, however, a firmer crust and a lighter, airier bread, unlike the others that were a little denser. This is because the sugar and the yeast created more air bubbles while rising.

If you want to get your loaves looking as if it came from a bakery. You know how some freshly baked breads have designs on them. You can use a clean razor blade to draw lines or x’s along the top of the dough before baking.

Be sure that you fulfill that hunger with a fresh slice of your homemade bread with some butter, or some preserves along with a HOT cup of COFFEE. All while feeling part of God’s table. ☕🍞🍵