"The bread that is meant for you, no one can ever take away." As long as I can remember, that has been my Momma's reminder to me that, "Che Sera, Sera--whatever will be, will be." But it wasn't until my younger brother passed away this year, that bread would take on a new meaning and a new life--a life that lives on every day on my kitchen counter. It's a sweet "friendship bread" starter that gets stirred every day and fed every five days with flour, sugar and milk. It's a bread starter that you find in old church cookbooks from the late 1800's usually compiled by the Ladies Aid groups to raise money for worthy causes. Back then and still today, this wonderful starter, which needs no refrigeration, makes bountiful breads to be enjoyed by family or passed along to friends.

My family cherished the idea that we could not only have a living reminder of our loved one, but that we could pass along a new and delicious D'Atri family tradition, one friend at a time. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Can't wait to hear your bread stories!

 

Johnny's Sweet Friendship Bread Starter

 This bread starter was born on June 24, 2007 in honor of John Anthony D'Atri. His sweet friendship touched countless lives in his short time on earth. This starter now lives in the kitchens of those who loved John, in the places we gather to break bread together and honor those who have gone before us. Please pass it along and enjoy the starter with those you love!

 

Starter:

 Day 1:  Mix together: 1 cup of flour, 1 cup sugar and 1 cup milk (Use glass or plastic

                                    bowl and wooden spoon. No metals.)

Day 2:   Stir for about 15 seconds and cover loosely with parchment and kitchen towel.

Day 3:    Stir and cover

Day 4:    Stir and cover

Day 5:    Add 1 cup each of flour, sugar and milk. Stir until blended.

Day 6:     Stir  and cover

Day 7:    Stir  and cover

Day 8:    Stir  and cover

Day 9:    Stir  and cover

Day 10: Add 1 cup each flour, sugar and milk. Stir and remove one cup for yourself to start again. Use the remaining starter to make bread, freeze or give away in one-cup increments. Begin process over again. 

Friendship Bread Recipe:

 

1 cup starter

1 cup vegetable oil

1 cup sugar

½ cup milk

½ teaspoon baking soda

1 ½ teaspoons baking powder

2 cups flour

3 eggs

½ teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 box instant vanilla pudding

3 tablespoons sugar and 1 tablespoon cinnamon, mixed together (for coating pan and topping)

Butter for coating

 

Directions:

Mix together all ingredients except butter and sugar/cinnamon mixture for topping.

Grease two bread loaf pans and dust with sugar and cinnamon. Pour batter into loaves and coat with butter and remaining sugar and cinnamon.

Bake at 325 for 60-70 minutes or until golden brown.