in today's lecture, we'll explore the fascinating process of baking bread, a journey that often begins with the initial steps of selecting our ingredients. one might think to cast aside the basics and order pre-made mixes, but the true magic lies in the decision to take up from scratch the art of mixing flour, water, yeast, and salt. on the qt, this phrase reflects the quiet, almost secretive joy found in kneading dough and watching it rise, a simple pleasure shared by bakers for centuries, embodying the satisfaction of creating something truly fundamental from basic elements.