I did some baking today. I made Setfa. Setfa is a Swiss bread, dense and slightly sweet. You braid the dough before baking to make the beautiful looking loaves. If you're part of the Johnson family you must make Setfa, you're compelled to make Setfa. It's tradition. My great grandmother made this bread, my grandmother made this bread, my mom makes this bread, my aunts and uncles make this bread, my cousins make this bread. It's delicious, it's tradition, it's wonderful.
As I was kneading and braiding and baking all I could think about was my Grandma and all the happy memories of her. There's nothing like the smell of baking bread to bring back terrific memories. To celebrate those memories I even made a few cinnamon pull -aparts with the extra dough.
There's many ways to eat this ultimate comfort food, but my Johnson mama taught me the right way... bread and milk. My grandpa called it, "bread and milk sandwiches." To make bread and milk sandwiches you take a big, thick slice of Setfa, break it into pieces in a bowl, pour on some milk, let the bread get a little soggy and dig in. Amazingly delicious!
If you think this dish sounds disgusting then you aren't genetically a Johnson. My kids definitely have Johnson blood running through their veins because they love bread and milk and have loved it since they were old enough to eat solids. Even Jeffrey likes bread and milk and that's sayin something. Mike isn't genetically a Johnson, but he likes bread and milk too. I knew we had to get married when I introduced him to bread and milk those many years ago and he loved it. It was destiny!
17 comments:
love it! setfa brings lots of memories indeed. wish i had been there to have a warm slice.
I can't believe that I have never had this after being your sister for 13+ years! I'm dying to try some. It looks absolutely beautiful, and I'm sure it tastes heavenly. Next time I visit . . .
Ahem...I think a recipe would be in order. That looks fantastic! Although I must admit, soggy bread doesn't really sound as good as a nice thick slice with butter.
I have never had the whole bread and milk thing...but I can smell that bread from here. It's like it's Christmas and Winnie knocked on our back door with our annual loaf. If we were really good, she'd bring it over on some random time. But we knew it was her because no one but Winnie ever came in our back door. We think it makes amazing morning toast, especially with fresh raspberry jam. Yummy!
Okay, now I must go and get some yucky Wonder bread for my morning toast. Somehow...now...it's totally going to taste like a foot!
I am getting the tearies! I remember that bread, but, sadly, do not have Johnson blood running in my veins and have never liked bread and milk together. My dad does, of course! Anyway, I doubt you'll ever know what going to your grandmas did for me at that time in my life. I certainly needed that second home :)
Setfa is one of the best traditions. The bread and milk looks delicious. I think you should have posted some pictures after the twins took chunks out of those beautiful loaves.
Let's get things straight:
Setfa = awesome and delicious
Bread and milk together = wrong*
*my mom insists on the combo as well... what is the matter with you guys? I miss Grandma Winnie, too.
Your bread looks mouth-wateringly delicious!! I do like bread and milk with sugar. I would love to be able to make that bread! Sadly, I've yet to have homemade bread turn out. I need a teacher!
Looks like tastey bread! Not sure I could do with the whole bread and milk, I don't even really like cereal with milk (weird, I know). But your picture does make me want to make my own bread and maybe get this recipe someday and try it!
Johnson Blood is Johnson Blood. I come from different Johnsons, but we ate bread and milk all the time. Sometimes it wasn't because it was "delicious", but because it was all we had! When Dad (Blaylock) was so bad the last few months of his life, that was often his request. Of course, you do have to have homemade bread for this tradition to work! Oh, for the good old days!
First of all, as someone whose bread-making skills are limited to Rhodes frozen dough, I am very impressed!
Second, what is wrong with all these people who don't like bread and milk?!? We used to eat it all the time at my great-grandparents' house when I was little and loved it. I haven't had it in years - this post makes me want to go make it and have a childhood flashback! Thanks for sharing!
You can't post bread like that without giving us the recipe. I love family traditions.
I also think a recipe is in order. I would love warm, yummy setfa at my house, but I'll pass on the bread and milk. I married into the family, but soggy bread just isn't in my genes.
No wonder your kids enjoy it. This was also a staple in the Grandma (Lucinda) Dickey household. Her homemade bread was the best especially in a bowl with milk!
I had never had setfa before I met Mike, but I love it! Yum!
If you need someone to take care of any left-overs for you, my address is...looks divine!
goodness jill! i love this too... especially the bread and milk. the best however, is when you drizzle homemade raspberry jam on top! :) yummy!
Post a Comment