"Peggy" > wrote in message
...
> "Joseph O'Brien" > wrote in message
> oups.com...
>> Hello! I received a Pampered Chef Bread Crock for Christmas, and I
>> have only a vague idea of how to use it. I've never seen or heard of
>> such a thing. A quick internet search yielded little more than a bunch
>> of auctions, so I'm posting here in hopes of some advice.
>>
>> Basically, it's an unglazed stoneware container about 8" tall and 5"
>> inside diameter. Drill a hole in the bottom and it would make a nice
>> flower pot. The picture on the box suggests that the bread will rise
>> well beyond the rim and bake to a perfect, billowy golden crust. Not
>> sure how much use I have for a skinny, 8" tall loaf, but...
>>
>> My bread baking skills are limited, to say the yeast (er, I mean
>> least). I usually just form the dough into a ball, score it, and let
>> it bake on a pizza stone. Not pretty, but it usually works out.
>>
>> Before I ruin a loaf using the crock, does anyone have any experience
>> with one? Any advice on how to adjust time/temp for a typical bread
>> recipe? Is there any special history behind the bread crock? ("This
>> traditional stoneware was used by our great-great grandmothers, who
>> baked perfect artisan loaves in bread crocks that were passed down from
>> generation to generation. Much like a well-seasoned cast-iron skillet,
>> bread crocks are considered valuable culinary heirlooms not only for
>> the generations of love and care behind them, but for the lustrous
>> patina of natural oils and wild yeasts." Or something like that.)
>> Any thoughts?
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Joseph
>>
>
> Somebody already posted the link for the PC site on this item.
> If you don't want to bake bread with it, I also found these suggestions
> online: Use the plastic liner to display fresh or silk flowers. Can also
> be used on your countertop to stylishly hold your utensils. Make baked
> beans! Keep beverages cool!
> ~Peggy

Um! Bake garlic in.
Dee