I can’t even begin to tell you how excited I am after tonight’s dinner…
I was finally able to get an amazing loaf of bread to come out of my bread machine!
Guys and gals, this is HUGE!
Ever since I received my bread machine last Christmas, my success/failure ratio has been a little leery…
Remember my first attempt? That was scary.
The next attempt a few days later was better, but still pretty hard and crusty on the outside.
Then there was the Rustic Italian Loaf which tasted great, but it barely rose and, again, was super crusty on the outside.
Oh yes, and let’s not forget this disaster. Good lord. I was about ready to throw in the towel after that one.
Thankfully, up until tonight, I have had my one stand-by recipe for French Bread, which has proven delicious on more than one occasion.
But now, I have TWO successful, delicious loaves of bread under my belt. Tonight’s load was a Pesto Bread recipe which came out of the book that came with the bread machine. I mean, not only did the bread have amazing pesto flavor, but it finally looked good too.
Just look at that! It’s light, fluffy, and actually looks like bread.
So what lovely dinner had the pleasure of accompanying tonight’s Pesto Bread?
Well that would be my Minestrone Soup.
This soup is not only super easy to make, but it’s ready within a half hour AND it tastes great. Hubby is on the fence with it because of the garbanzo beans, but I told him to get over it, just pick ‘em out, and send them my way. 
I started off with two slices of bread with dinner (but ended up adding a third), which worked out to be perfect for dipping, despite the fact that my soup was severely lacking in broth.
Jay ended up getting home later than I expected, so a bunch of the liquid ended up cooking off. But no worries; I just added a little extra for the leftovers.
I definitely foresee some of these leftovers in my future for tomorrow…no doubt about it!
Question for the Evening:
What are your favorite kinds of soup and/or homemade bread?
woohoo for bread machine successes!!!! looks great. i made a successful non-bread machine loaf today which I was happy about too :)
Wow- that bread looks great! So does the soup. I always run into that problem with the lack of liquid – I always add more chicken stock when I save the leftovers.
What is it with men and their dislike towards beans? My boyfriend hates em… yet loves hummus. Explain that one. ;)
Now that IS interesting…Jay won’t come within five feet of the stuff ;)
congrats on the bread success!!! and the soup looks super yummy too!
my favorite homecooked soups are chicken noodle, lentil, and corn chowder!
Minestrone soup is definitely in my top faves for homemade soups. (My stepmom’s is amazing!) I also love homemade chicken noodle soup. I’m not sure if I can consider chili a soup, but I LOVE turkey chili too.
And I pretty much love any type of homemade, fluffy, soft bread. Yummm.
Great job on your success with your bread! Looks delicious!
Woot woot! YAY for the bread success! I made an asiago ciabatta a couple of years ago and it was amazing. I love Giada’s recipe for Ribbolita (kind of minestrone-esque). Look it up on the Food Network site!
Yay! Congrats on the bread machine success :). That looks awesome! I LOVE pumpkin breads with chocolate chips!
Yum! :) I am so ready for fall and soup weather! My favorite homemade soup is definitely the tortellini-spinach soup from Ellie Krieger’s So Easy cookbook! It is to die for! I honestly haven’t really tried a whole lot of homemade bread other than quick breads like banana! I would love to try a good cinnamon or hearty whole grain bread!
I just made my first awesome loaf of bread machine bread last week — the first couple loaves were total fail — and am completely obsessed. I’ve already started giving loaves to friends.
That soup looks amazing! I can’t wait to try it! I love love love dill or tomato bread from the bread machine :)
Looks like this attempt turned out pretty perfect!
Hmmm favorite soup would have to be baked potato & I LOVE sourdough bread!
That looks really yummy and soft- good job on your success!
I will have to check this recipe out, Minestrone is one of my favs! I also love making roasted butternut squash and tomato soup.
I don’t have a bread machine but have attempted bread once with my Vitamix and then just baking it, it was just okay ;) I would like to make homemade cinnamon swirl bread though!
That is awesome about the bread! Bread machines are so hard to use! I love any and all bread, specifically super oaty, crusty, warm rolls…yummy!
Your soup looks great too! I love vegetarian chili, black bean soup and anything with a tomato base! its one of my favorite winter time meals!
I love the smell of homemade bread! Yum!! Olive loafs are so delicious.
recipe success always makes me happy!
Mmmmm I’m actually in the process of saving your minestrone soup recipe as we speak. I’ve been looking for a quick recipe and you might have just won over my heart (and stomach) with the mention of it being ready in 30 minutes :D
Omgggg I LOVE asiago bread!! It is theee best. And as for soups — gimme dat sweet potato soup! Or butternut squash. ;)
I have a recipe for Rosemary Cheddar Cheese Swirl bread that is absolutely amazing!
I love black bean soup, butternut squash, or anything with veggies!
My bread machine is amazing I love using it. I’ve made whole wheat, honey wheat, corn bread, and more!
Yum!!! Good thing you didn’t give up! You really won this time! :)
I love bread in small doses…. sweet breads are a weakness though!
Congrats!! There’s nothing quite like homemade bread.
I love homemade bread! It was a staple in my house growing up…and that is definitely one of the best smells in existence.
I love cheese bread!! And my mom makes an awesome hamburger soup…I request extra barley. Best thing on a cold, gross day :)
My favorite soups are mexican soups: fideo and tortilla
Wow, your bread looks amazing! So far all the bread at our house has come out half risen. I might just have to try your recipe. :)
That soup looks so good! I think I will make it when it cools off. Right now in Florida all I can think about is devouring some froyo to stay cool! :)
I make an amazing Cream of Asparagus soup if I do say so myself. :) Another favorite in my house is White Bean Chili. Your minestrone looks delish!
Woaah check you out, u sure have come a long way! Love that dinner, nothing beats a hearty soup with homemade bread!
Hi! I’ve missed you!! I need to get myself a bread maker asap. The only problem would be having self-control and not eating an entire loaf in one sitting..
Awwwww, I’ve missed you TOO! Welcome back, newlywed! :-D
Great job on the bread! It looks delicious! Your minestrone soup looks so good! It looks better than the Olive Garden soup! I need to try making this in the fall! :) I think I might have to add a bread machine to our registry once we start one!
My boyfriend in college, his mom used to make the most amazing homemade white bread. I swear it was like heaven. I think I might have dated said boyfriend for longer than I should if only to get getting my bread supply! ha!
That bread look delicous! My mom has a bread maker she NEVER uses, and I have been thinking about taking it off her hands for her to put to good use! I love soup. Unfortunately Florida is too hot to eat it!
As far as all your “ugly” bread batches go…just remember–it’s whats on the INSIDE that counts. ;) If it tastes good…that is ALL that matters (unless you have company I suppose). hehe
The bread you made yesterday looks amazing! What kind of bread machine do you have? I have always wanted one but I know they are kind of expensive right? Do you ever make bread in the oven??