About
Hello there, thanks for stopping by. Though I’ve worked in kitchens for over 25 years, I’ve only been avidly baking for the past 6. I didn’t realize how simple *and* complicated it can be to bake a simple loaf of bread. This blog is about my exploration of the craft. I am an American of Mexican descent, so that experience will have a big influence on my baking. I’ll work some classics of the world like foccacia, French baguette, 100% wheat, sourdough, etc. so that I develop my baking chops. But I’ll mostly approach from a “southwestern” perspective to reflect my background. I believe there is a whole world of baking yet to be explored from this viewpoint. I respect the traditional recipes and will include them here, but I also want to include my personal take and try to expand a little on the flavor combinations and technique. Happy baking! Please visit my other blogs. The Whispering Mesquite is more of a photo blog while Bring Tortillas On Doomsday! is a food blog set in the future.
Hollins is an eager taste-tester.
Niki enjoys cooling down under the chile pepper bush.
Bread and Tortillas 
You always have great photos Gerard!
Thanks Marcella! I try to photograph everything in natural light since I don’t have any experience with artificial lighting equipment. It will be a major challenge when the time comes!
I have nominated you for the Liebster Award. Click this link for instructions on how to accept this award. Congratulations! http://marcellarousseau.wordpress.com/?p=3285&preview=true
Marcella, Thank you very very much for nominating me for the Liebster Award! It means that I am doing something right. I am really not a very savvy blogger (I try to keep my blog simple) and haven’t spent much time and energy commenting on and ‘liking’ other blogs to contact and network. To be sure, there are many fabulous blogs out there. It will take a few days to meet the criteria. Thank you for the support!
Your blog deserves to be recognized by the community and you deserve a lot more awards. Hopefully, you will receive some new visitors now. Folks are missing out by not taking a look at your blog! Take as long as you need – it can be time-consuming. It took me over a month! lol! Nobody ever complains about it though. It’s just one big happy family for the most part ; – )
I appreciate the compliments! It will very likely take me at least a month! It would be nice however to receive more visitors. Thanks again.
You’ve been nominated for the WordPress Family Award! By me! Check it out here, http://thenovicegardener.wordpress.com/2013/08/19/spreading-the-love-around/
Dear Gerard!
Keep on stirring my imagination and appetite with the great recetas that you post here! Congrats on your awesome page.
Hola Andre, Thank you so much for the encouragement and support! It makes me feel happy to read your kind words and also helps make it feel alive. Your creative spirit and passion, I must say, is very inspiring!
Thanks for following us. You have some lovely, unusual recipes here, thanks for sharing them.
Thank you for following! You have a very interesting and engaging blog. It’s nice to be able to see and read about all the care and work behind the tradition. What an experience it must be for you.
I just stumbled onto your blog and I’m very happy I did! You have some really great recipes on here that I’m excited to try. I just began bread baking, also self taught, and it looks like I will be able to learn from your experience.
Hi and welcome! Thanks, I’m sure I could learn from you. There is so much to bread baking, I don’t think anyone can learn it all. There always seems to be a something new to experiment with.
Hola Gerard,
I hope you don’t mind that have nominated you and your blog for the Dragon Loyalty Award as a way of thanking you for your lovely blog and for your encouraging comments.
If you’d like to participate you can pick up your badge and information/rules on how to pass on the award at http://gingerandbread.com/2014/06/01/elderflower-pancakes-hollerkuchle/
All the best,
Ginger
Hello Ginger, You are so kind to nominate me for the Dragon’s Loyalty Award! Thank you! I don’t mind at all. It’s nice to be recognized by a fellow blogger. Only recently, though, have I begun to establish the friendships I need to feel ready for an award. I hope in due time I can be better prepared! Thank you for your support, encouragement, and your lovely blog as well!
You’re welcome and thank you too – it’s always great to see what’s happening in ovens and on hobs on the other side of the world!
I am very excited as I am invited to a Mexican friend’s house at the weekend for a crash-course in Mexican cooking. I am looking forward to your insider comments on the final product 🙂
Hello Gerard,
Open with smile and keep smiling 🙂
I am passing this ‘Versatile Award’ to you for your creativity. Look forward to see your post with this award soon. Please click the link for details:
Wishing you a lovely day and Take care!
Chitra Jagadish
Hi Chitra, Thank you for nominating me for the “Versatile Blogger Award”! It’s nice to be recognized by a fellow blogger that way. Yes it did put a smile on my face when I read it.
I’m still working on establishing the friendships that I think I need to nominate others for the award so I’m not sure I’m ready. Sorry to disappoint! I appreciate it very much though! I have really been enjoying reading your blog. There is always something new to learn for me. Thank you very much again! 🙂
Hi Gerard, Just wanted to let you know that I have nominated your lovely blog for the Liebster award – http://wp.me/p3Nc97-sF. Have a lovely day! 🙂 (and, no worries about not continuing the award chain)
Thank you Ahila for the recognition! I’m not sure I can fulfill all the obligations to accept the award , but I appreciate it very much nonetheless!
Dear Gerard,
I hope you have not abandoned us in favour of the photography! I have nominated you to take part in the My Writing Process Tour, it’s less of an award than an invitation to write about what motivates and inspires your writing. Please check it out at http://gingerandbread.com/2014/08/05/my-writing-process-tour/
I hope you will find the time to take part!
Ginger
Hi Ginger, Thank you for nominating me for “My writing Process Tour! I certainly will take time to take part. I appreciate your interest in my blog and the inspirations behind it.
As far as the photography, it’s a new interest for me that still has a long way to go!
Gerard
Thank you for your kind response! I find the photography side of blogging quite challenging myself, so I am impressed by your determination!
Looking forward to your post 🙂
Ginger