Listen to the weather

Hope is on the horizon this weekend. Chances of rain are much more reasonable than it has been the past week.

This weekend is a great time to bake. Lower pressures make for better bread. If you like savory french bread is easy to make (see the recipe below) or if you like dessert, like I do, there is always Cranberry Lemon Bread (see recipe below) 

“High pressure will gradually weaken over the weekend, allowing moisture to set in. It will also allow for cooler temperatures,” Albuquerque National Weather Service Meteorologist Scott Overpeck said.

Here is the forecast:

Saturday has a 30-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms between noon and midnight. It will be sunny and hot with a high around 99 and a low around 69.

Sunday has a 50-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. It will be mostly cloudy, with a high near 96 and a low around 68.

 

French Bread<-click for instructions

2 packages active dry yeast

2 12 cups water (105 F to 115 F)

1 tablespoon salt

1 tablespoon melted margarine or 1 tablespoon butter

7 cups all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons cornmeal

1 egg white

1 tablespoon cold water

 

Cranberry Lemon Bread<-click for instructions

For the Bread

1 cup fresh cranberries 

1⅔ cups all-purpose flour

1½ teaspoons baking powder 

½ teaspoon kosher salt

½ cup unsalted butter 

1 cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs 

½ cup milk 

1 tablespoon grated lemon zest 

For the Glaze

¼ cup granulated sugar 

¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice