My New Eyesore and a Loaf of Bread

I've been wanting one of these babies in a bad way for quite some time now. I'm not sure why I think I need one other than all the cool kids have one. I've searched sales, thrift stores, yard sales, craig's list. Just couldn't quite find one in my price range. I've also looked at the alternatives but they just left me feeling cold.

So this little beauty is what I end up with.

I believe this would be the Bosch Kitchen Machine circa 1970 something. I don't know if you can tell but that knob is avocado green which would have been perfect in my kitchen back in Arkansas. Because it is important that all your knobs match all your major appliances, just so you know. I'm not really sure why there has to be a blender stuck on the end there. I'm thinking it's too bad there's not a toaster on there too.

My girl and I hit some yard sales this weekend and just as we were about to wind it up and go home, I heard this little guy saying my name. In a really annoying, obnoxious voice. I told him "you're really nice and all but you're just not what I wanted". He replied "But I'm only 5 dollars. You'll never do any better than me." So that stopped me in my tracks as I was trying to walk away. AND because of my superior negotiating skilz I inherited from my father (thanks Dad!) I got it for only $4.

Of course I had to immediately put it to use to whip up a batch of Martha Stewart's french bread. I have to say, it works pretty darned good. AND if I decide I need a milkshake while I'm kneading my dough....I'm already halfway there with my blender whirring away at the ready. And just WHO doesn't need a milkshake while they're making bread anyway.

Here's the recipe for any interested parties: 2 pkgs active dry yeast 2 3/4 cups warm water 7 cups unbleached all purpose flour 4 1/2 teaspoons salt Proof the yeast in 1/4 cup of the warm water. Mix the flour and salt in large bowl. And the remaining warm water and mix well. Add the yeast mixture, blend into dough. Turn onto floured board and knead until dough is smooth and elastic. Put kneaded dough in a covered bowl and let rise till doubled. Punch dough down and let rise a second time until doubled. Punch down. Turn onto floured board and shape as desired. Let rise, covered with plastic wrap, until double in size. Long loaves must be slashed along the top. Preheat oven to 400. Bake about 25 minutes, spraying the loaves with water 3 or 4 times during baking....cause I always need more opportunities to burn myself. I got six loaves with this. So, do I still want a kitchen aid mixer? Well, yeah, pretty much.