Posted: 4/4/2008 9:16:25 PM EDT
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Picked up "The Bread Baker's Apprentice" a while back. Must say that its a really good book for those wanting to know the ins and outs of bread making. I found it to be quite helpful and thus far the recipes have been great. It does a good job of explaining the the whole process and breaks it down into steps. It deals mostly with white breads and very little with whole wheat breads, but its a good start. I just need to get this same author's book on whole wheat and other grain bread that is of this quality and I will be a happy man. |
| bread machines are da debil. It really doesn't take much at all to knead your own bread. And you can control it a lot better than a machine. I have somewhat taught myself how to make bread (using recipes of course), but this book really helped me to solidify my skills. Really I have only made about 12 batches of bread in my life, all of which have been in the last 2 months, and all by hand. My thing is, what have you got to lose? $1 in ingredients? If it doesn't turn out up to par, just give it away to someone and try again (I love doing that, its like re-gifting). |
| Whole-wheat theory IMHO: White flour is refined & originally invented to make it more user friendly. The extra non-white ingredients in whole wheat sometimes makes yeast confused and retarded at onset. This puts the whole bread process in slow motion. The solution seems to be getting the yeast in high gear with a white flour- sugar & warm water(only) bath in advance. Once the yeast is really cranking in the slop, proceed with dough making and add to and thoroughly incorporate with bulk of recipe ingredients. I use the same bowl for everything so there's really no extra mess. I got this idea from making half & half bread (white - WW) and having no special probs; so try this too! PS: I know NOTHING about bread machines! |
| I own a bread machine. I have never used it. I bought it for $5 at a thrift store minus the paddle thingy that they're supposed to come with. All I need is a mixer, flour (doesn't matter what kind), yeast (unless I'm making sourdough then I'll use my starter), sugar, salt and vegetable oil. I don't really "need" the mixer but it certainly makes life easier. |