Freshly Baked, at Cafe Maxims...

"Good bread is the most fundamentally satisfying of all foods; and good bread with fresh butter, the greatest of feasts."

James Beard, noted American culinary author, mentor, and the "Dean of American cookery," perfectly described the simple pleasures and joys of bread. A visit to Cafe Maxims at Resorts World Manila's Maxim Hotel offered the day's fresh picks from the ovens...

Cafe Maxims is the perfect spot for coffee, tea, sandwiches, breakfast or a light snack (for more on Maxims Hotel's Cafe Maxims, see my previous post, Indulge. At Cafe Maxims...). But don't forget to check the day's freshly baked bread too at Cafe Maxims. That day, the fresh baked selection included stacks of French Baguette (P 120), the iconic long and thin loaf of bread with its crisp and crusty exterior. Named after the French word for "stick" or "wand," the baguette's distinct shape is immediately recognizable, evoking images of a simple yet hearty Parisian meal. Soft and airy inside covered in a crusty outer layer, it's the texture that makes the baguette the perfect base for a variety of toppings, from sweet to savory, and a tasty accompaniment to your main meal. And with a Frenchman at the helm of Resorts World Manila's dining outlets, you can be sure of having the real thing (for more on award-winning Chef Cyril Soenen, see my earlier posts, Food News: Chef Cyrille Soenen Honored as Master Chef, A Lasting Impression...at Impressions of Resorts World Manila's Maxims Hotel, Impressed: Beef and Wine Nights at Impressions and Oysters, Foie Gras, Strawberries, and Chocolate: A Pre-Valentine's Sunday Brunch at Impressions).  

The Multi-Grain Baguette (P 170) is made with two or more types of grain, including seeds and nuts containing at least up to four times the dietary fiber content of the usual white bread. The flavors are also distinct and much more pronounced with its deeper and nutty notes. The colors of the dough are also noticeably darker. Each bite delivers a subtle sweetness giving it depth along with contrasting textures from the whole grains and nuts. 

Time to bring out the butter and jam and enjoy a feast of simple, rustic and wholesome flavors. There's just nothing quite like the aroma of freshly baked bread, with its honest flavors capped by the richness of butter. Break off the end, add a generous dab of butter and enjoy.

Cafe Maxims also offers a variety of freshly baked bread, including the Orange Pecan Loaf Bread (P 370), a pillow-soft bread with a mildly sweet and tart glaze filled with dried fruit and pecans.  

Simply toast a slice, add some butter with jam, perfect. The Orange Pecan Loaf is also ideal for French Toast. 

If you're after heartier flavors, the Banana Loaf Bread (P 370) topped with a variety of dried fruit and nuts should do the trick. Soft yet firm and moist, each slice pairs well with a freshly brewed cup of coffee. 

Bring out the butter and jam, and indulge in a simple but, as James Beard described it, the "greatest of feasts." Fresh-baked bread and butter, it's the simple pleasures that make the day so much better. Head on over to Cafe Maxims for the day's batch of freshly-baked bread and bring home a baker's dozen...