Gregor’s Dill Bread
Yesterday was a take-a-glass-of-wine-and-a-chocolate-chip-cookie-into-the-bathtub kind of day. But with the soul-crushing doubt and epic lowness that led me to carry glassware into a bubble bath, came also a reassurance in the ability of the simple things to set me right again: a sweet email from a friend, a simple pasta dinner, an episode of Family Guy, and, of course, alcohol and chocolate.
There was a surprise spirit-lifter yesterday that I hadn’t anticipated, though. I hope in two weeks time I don’t regret admitting what I am about to admit, but here goes: I’m doing National Novel Writing Month this year. If you don’t know about NaNoWriMo, allow me to introduce you. In the month of November, a bunch of crazy people with a wild sense of adventure and can-do spirit decide to write a 50,000 word novel by the stroke of midnight on November 30. The goal isn’t to write the next Great Gatsby, of course, but just to get yourself writing a lot, fueled by community and a deadline.
So yesterday, when what I really wanted to do was crawl into bed and pull the covers over my head, I couldn’t. I had a word quota I had to meet (and who wants to throw in the towel on Day 2?). So I propped myself up with pillows––I could still indulge the woe-is-me feeling by writing from bed––pulled out my laptop and got to work on my story.
I have never, mind you, written a word of fiction in my life (unless you count the stories I wrote in grade school, including one I was particularly proud of with the scintillatingly original title, “A Girl and Her Horse.”) I like real stories, and spinning some kind of worthy yarn out of the everyday. But what I hadn’t anticipated was how absolutely delightful it would be to sink into my own imagination and follow wherever it leads. You can write the book you’ve always wanted to read!
It’s Day 3, and technically, you are already 5,001 words behind. But if you have even the tiniest spark of interest, I recommend jumping into NaNoWriMo with both feet. I kind of think of it like quitting smoking––even if you have to try a bunch of times before you can successfully do it, each attempt brings you closer to your goal. But maybe that’s just what I’m telling myself to make the whole thing a hell of a lot less scary.
A few words about this bread: when my friend Gregor sent me the recipe the subject line was “Make this and fall in love with the fall all over again.” He need not have said another word, especially since I have a soft spot for dill and find it underutilized in general. The magical thing about this bread, in addition to the lovely golden crust it achieves in the oven, is that it somehow manages to taste even better the next day. It’s an absolute star buttered generously and served alongside a bean soup for the best kind of humble, homey dinner, and––though this will probably come as little surprise–– equally delicious topped with an oozy poached egg for breakfast.
Dill Bread
makes 1 loaf
1 package dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water
1 cup cottage cheese
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon minced onion
3 cups flour
1 tablespoon butter
2 teaspoons dill seed or 1 tablespoon dill weed
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 egg
Soften yeast in water. Heat cheese to lukewarm. Combine cheese, sugar, onion, butter, dill seeds, salt, soda, egg and softened yeast. Mix well; add flour until dough is stiff. Let rise in warm place for 1 hour until doubledin bulk. Place in greased 2-qt round casserole; let rise 40 minutes. Bake at 350 degrees F for 40-50 minutes. The crust will turn a gorgeous golden brown. Brush with butter.
Sara Rose: Nolan and I are doing NaNoWriMo too! I’m about 500 words behind but hope to get caught up today. As for dill bread? I’m always for it!1 year ago
Yay! I’m behind, too, but am hoping a writing sesh today will catch me up.1 year ago
Tori: LE GASP! I made your recipe for Sweet & Spicy Cauliflower Penne for dinner yesterday, too! I can’t believe how good it is!
Good luck with NaNoWriMo–you’ll be fabulous!1 year ago
Julie: Yay for NaNoWriMo! Congratulations — in many ways, I think just getting started is the hardest part.1 year ago
Tori, I love that recipe! Last night I made it with a few substitutions: broccoli for cauliflower, hold the anchovies, and top with parmesan. Yum.
Julie, You’re my writing totem!
(Actually, I NEED a writing totem, come to think of it!)1 year ago
Katie @ cakes, tea and dreams: I’m doing NaNoWriMo too! Here’s to that wild sense of adventure.
And ooh, chocolate-chip cookies and dill bread may be necessary to fuel my writing binges…1 year ago
Bernie: Hooray for NaNo! I did it last year and it was a great experience…one I hope to repeat! Good luck, Sarah!1 year ago
Lisa (dinner party): Mmm…Dan loves dill. I need to make this for him soon. Good luck writing (50,000 words?!) and I hope you’re feeling better today.1 year ago
heather: here is a tip from my crashy household, where glassware is basically disposable: crate & barrel and target both have v. cute acrylic wine glasses. sure, it’s still possible to smash/break/destroy them, but you don’t have to worry about accidentally killing yourself with them in the tub.
1 year ago
Christina: Just a few things: 1) This bread looks amazing! 2) There is nothing wrong with taking a glass of wine with you into the bathtub – I do it quite often. 3) Family Guy was also my therapy yesterday.
1 year ago
Bee: Your cauliflower pasta reminds me of what my husband and I had for dinner last night, a new-to-me recipe that was SO tasty! I was iffy about how it would turn out, but we both loved it and I’m adding it to the must-have rotation.
I subbed whole wheat rotini for the pasta, and we used turkey sausage. I thought you might enjoy this recipe, too. http://www.barristerbites.com/2010/05/spicy-cauliflower-and-sausage-pasta.html1 year ago
Christina, Family Guy + bubble bath + wine = cured bad mood! I need to remember this on future occasions.
Bee, Turkey sausage sounds like a great addition to that recipe. Yum.1 year ago
Elizabeth: I love that you’re doing the novel project. Not something I have time for now (the MFA student says, irony of ironies) but I will vicariously imagine through you! Good luck!1 year ago
Kristine: I love some Bailey’s with my bubble bath. Sometimes it is just what the doctor ordered. good luck with the novel! I think you are already a beautiful writer. Enjoy the adventure you brave soul!1 year ago
Sara Rose: I have 4 go to drinks with my bubble baths- red wine in a coffee mug, boozy cocoa, buttered rum, or straight up scotch/whiskey. Oh and listening to something subtle and sexy that’s in french never hurts either.1 year ago
Sara Rose: ARGH!!! Btw, I want to make this today . . . and I do NOT have cottage cheese and I am TOO LAZY to go get some. Think I could use buttermilk or greek yogurt instead? I’m making a white bean stew.1 year ago
I guess I would use the greek yogurt cause it’s thicker…?1 year ago
Jules @ Lovely Las Vegas: This looks divine! … but I’m a sucker for bread and dill in general.
Best wishes with your writing endeavor!1 year ago
Susan: I’d love to try this bread – is there no kneading involved – did you mix by hand or in a mixer?1 year ago
Hi Susan! There’s no kneading and I mixed it by hand…but I don’t see why you couldn’t use a stand mixer. Hope you like it!1 year ago
Sarah J: do the curds melt into the dough? i’m curious how all that pans out.1 year ago
molly: Oof. Wine, bubbles, chocolate. That’s one powerful image, lady. (And one familiar one!)
Way to go on the fiction front. I am so not a make-believe sort. But I so admire those who are!1 year ago
Sarah J, Yes! I guess when you heat up the cottage cheese it becomes a bit smoother, and then when you mix it all together it becomes smooth. The mystery of baking!1 year ago
Sarah J: thanks so much! it looks like a lovely loaf. hope to try it this weekend.1 year ago