Learning to Choose Simple
If sourdough is a long, slow conversation, this French bread is the opposite.
It’s quick. It’s simple. It shows up, gets to the point, and delivers results fast — the kind of recipe that quietly builds your confidence and doesn't ask for much in return.
And lately, that’s exactly what I’ve needed.
I’m in a season of life where I’m trying new things, taking risks, stretching into hobbies I never thought I’d have the time for or interest in.
There are some days where I feel brave and in the zone — and days where I feel like I’m learning everything the hard way. There’s beauty in that, I guess. But also exhaustion. Challenge can be good for us, but it can also leave us feeling frayed around the edges. And when you're nerves are already frayed themselves, we don't need a whole lot more of that going on.
So, in my first few days of being home full time, I wanted to bake something. I couldn't tell you why. Honestly! I have no idea why baking some bread was the thing that came to mind, but it did. And so I followed the prompt.
I didn’t want a lesson in patience. I didn’t want to prove anything to myself. I just wanted something simple. Something that would love me back quickly.
And the universe — or maybe Shaun's love of bread — led me straight to French bread.
There’s something powerful about a recipe that gives you a little win on a day you don’t feel particularly victorious. Something that comes together in minutes. Watching it rise right in front of your eyes. Seeing a golden, warm loaf come out of the oven only a few hours later. It reminds you that good things don’t always require struggle. Sometimes they just require you to start. To fling it.
And I think there’s a quiet BTS lesson in that too.
The members have always talked about growth — how they try new things, push boundaries, evolve — but they also talk about simplicity. About allowing joy to be unearned. About not needing to fight every day to prove your worth.
Namjoon especially reminds us that effort matters, but so does ease.
That it’s okay to return to things that steady you, not just things that challenge you.
That you don’t always have to climb; sometimes you get to breathe.
This little loaf of French bread became that reminder for me.
A reminder that I’m allowed to choose the easy thing sometimes.
That a quick, confidence-building win is still a win.
It’s knowing when your spirit needs a soft landing instead of a steep climb.
So if you’re in a season like that — learning, grieving, growing, or simply feeling a little overwhelmed — maybe this loaf can be your reminder too.
You don’t have to take on the big task today.
You don’t have to do the hardest version of everything.
You’re allowed to choose simple.
You’re allowed to choose something that gives back quickly.
You’re allowed to feed yourself — in every sense of the word.
(Inspired by the “Easy Crusty French Bread” recipe from Life as a Strawberry)
💜 INGREDIENTS (BTS VERSION)
Namjoon = Flour
Steady, foundational, thoughtful. Brings strength and structure.
He’s not breaking anything today — he’s grounding the whole loaf.
Jimin = Warm Water
Gentle, encouraging, makes everyone relax and blend beautifully.
Adds softness wherever he goes.
Yoongi = Yeast
Quiet power. Small but mighty.
Doesn’t show off — but makes everything rise.
Jin = Salt
Elevates everyone’s flavor.
Direct, precise, and you notice immediately when he’s missing.
J-Hope = Helpfulness & Wholesome Motivation
Not an ingredient — he is the process.
He keeps morale high, energy bright, and everything moving forward.
Taehyung = Shaping & Aesthetics
He sees things at angles no one else does.
Artistic shaping = his entire personality.
Jungkook = Oven Heat & Golden Crust
The finishing power.
Gives intensity, commitment, and an absolutely perfect bake.
STEP-BY-STEP: COUNTRY FRENCH BREAD WITH OT7
STEP 1 — Combine the Warm Water (Jimin) + Yeast (Yoongi)
Jimin pours himself (warm water) gently into the bowl like,
“Let’s make this comfortable.”
Yoongi joins quietly.
He doesn’t announce anything — he just… starts working.
Tiny bubbles appear. The room feels warm.
Jimin smiles because Yoongi always rises to the occasion.
Let the two sit together until they’re bubbly and alive. -
Note from Stef: I promise, when this was originally created, it was rated G but my word, if you change your POV, ChatGPT wrote fanfic.... lol
STEP 2 — Invite in Namjoon (Flour)
Namjoon walks in like the foundation of a novel.
Thoughtful. Calm. Completely himself.
You add his scoops to the bowl, and he says something like:
“Structure is love. Love is structure.”
No one knows what he means,
but the dough suddenly feels philosophical.
Mix until everything feels connected.
STEP 3 — Sprinkle in Jin (Salt)
Jin steps forward with precision.
He isn’t dramatic here — he’s essential.
He tosses himself into the bowl with a confident:
“If you make this too bland, it’s not my fault.”
The flavor sharpens instantly.
Everyone agrees Jin makes everything better.
STEP 4 — Knead the Dough (with Hobi leading the choreography)
This is J-Hope’s moment.
He’s not kneading — he’s teaching an 8-count.
He’s smiling, encouraging, hyping everyone up.
“Fold — press — pull — fold — yes! You’ve got it!”
The dough gets smoother with every move.
So do you.
This is the part where everything becomes elastic, alive, and joyful.
STEP 5 — First Rise (Yoongi watches over it)
The dough is tired. It needs rest.
Yoongi understands this deeply and deep down into his soul.
He covers it tenderly and says:
“Go on. Take your time.”
While it rises quietly in a warm corner,
he coffee pours an iced Americano and checks on it with sleepy affection.
A gentle, strong rise — classic Yoongi energy.
STEP 6 — Shape the Loaf (Taehyung takes over)
Tae strolls in wearing an apron that does NOT match the outfit but has a scarf tied around the strap. Of course.
He circles the dough like an art critic in a museum.
“Round… but not too round. Rustic. Confident. Yes.”
He shapes the loaf with movements that look random
but somehow create elegance.
The dough becomes something beautiful
because Tae sees beauty in everything.
STEP 7 — Second Rise (OT7 checks in like proud parents)
Everyone peeks under the towel.
Jungkook goes: “WOAH.”
Hobi cheers.
Jimin claps softly.
Namjoon nods like this is a metaphor for humanity.
Yoongi pretends he’s not invested but he is.
Jin is already planning the tasting.
Tae takes aesthetic photos.
It rises perfectly.
STEP 8 — Bake with Jungkook Heat (Literal & Emotional)
Jungkook cranks the oven to Yoongi's suggested angry-hot French bakery mode.
Focused. Intense.
Like the “My Time” bridge in heat form.
He places the loaf inside with care
and watches it turn golden like it’s the finale of a cooking show.
The crust crackles.
The smell fills the room.
Everyone is suddenly starving.
STEP 9 — The Reveal (OT7 Reaction, French Café Energy)
You place the loaf on a board.
It looks like something from a Parisian boulangerie.
-
Jin: “This is Michelin-star level.”
-
Jungkook: Already cutting off an end piece.
-
Hobi: “THIS IS SUNSHINE IN BREAD FORM!”
-
Jimin: “It’s… perfect.”
-
Taehyung: Takes 300 photos.
-
Namjoon: “It tastes like hope.”
-
Yoongi: Softly… “Good job.”
You have officially baked an OT7 Country French Bread.
⭐ Credit for the Real Recipe
Inspired by and based on the actual recipe from Life as a Strawberry:
Easy Crusty French Bread
https://www.lifeasastrawberry.com/easy-crusty-french-bread/
Thanks for being here with me. Truly.
If you like this kind of heart-work mixed with real life — the healing, the humor, the rediscovering-who-we-are — you might love my book I Just Woke Up.
It’s just me, telling the fuller version of the story.
If you ever feel like grabbing a cup of coffee and reading along, it’s there waiting for you. Just click the tab at the top of the page.
