The Bread Thread

[amateur51]

Once tasted, home-made bread can never be forgotten and is frequently yearned for.

Making bread at home can be a wonderful way of constructing time, heating a room with a purpose in mind, getting in touch with the past.

Bread-making has probably never been easier, with a the range of flours and yeasts readily available in supermarkets and specialist shops, the advent of farmers' markets for different examples and sources of information and encouragement, plus a wealth of good books to guide you.

A recipe for bagels from the Guardian:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2012/jul/16/plain-bagels-recipe

The physical process itself can be very therapeutic and for those of a more mechanical bent there are bread-makers.

So ... advice, observations and experiences of bread-making please

[Nick Armstrong]

I've tried a couple of times over the years, the bread always comes out an unappetising grey colour and of a brick-like consistency....

[Northender]

Well, if you WILL buy your bread-making kit from Dev Alahan's Olde Corner Shoppe...

[Serial_Apologist]

Once tasted, home-made bread can never be forgotten and is frequently yearned for.

Making bread at home can be a wonderful way of constructing time, heating a room with a purpose in mind, getting in touch with the past.

Bread-making has probably never been easier, with a the range of flours and yeasts readily available in supermarkets and specialist shops, the advent of farmers' markets for different examples and sources of information and encouragement, plus a wealth of good books to guide you.

A recipe for bagels from the Guardian:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2012/jul/16/plain-bagels-recipe

The physical process itself can be very therapeutic and for those of a more mechanical bent there are bread-makers.

So ... advice, observations and experiences of bread-making please

I'd only do it if I kneaded the dough.

[amateur51]

I've tried a couple of times over the years, the bread always comes out an unappetising grey colour and of a brick-like consistency....

Were you aged two and aged three Caliban?

I remember my scones always turned out that colour when I was aged three, but I had lovely clean hands.

No wonder poor Daddy looked a bit glum when his arrival home was greeted with shrieks of "Daddy I've made more scones!!"

[Northender]

I'd only do it if I kneaded the dough.

Crumbs!

[amateur51]

I'd only do it if I kneaded the dough.

My mother always referred to the hymn "I need Thee every hour" as "The Baker's Anthem"!!

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

You just can't beat home-made wholemeal bread, freshly baked.

[MrGongGong]

We have been making bread for years using a machine
but more recently i've got a rather nifty sourdough mother going (using a Fergus Henderson method ) so tend to
make lots of this as it's my favourite bread
nice with shredded wild garlic etc etc

[amateur51]

We have been making bread for years using a machine
but more recently i've got a rather nifty sourdough mother going (using a Fergus Henderson method ) so tend to
make lots of this as it's my favourite bread
nice with shredded wild garlic etc etc

Oh that sounds good, homemade sourdough - does it make ultra-crunchy toast, MrGG?

[MrGongGong]

Oh that sounds good, homemade sourdough - does it make ultra-crunchy toast, MrGG?

indeed
put a dish of water in the bottom of the oven when baking to get a good crust
and bake on a cast iron skillet in a hot oven

i'll send you some of the starter if you like ?

[amateur51]

i'll send you some of the starter if you like ?

Does Lord Coe allow this during the Olympix, Mr GG?

Many thanks for the offer - I shall be in touch

Woo-hoo

[handsomefortune]

Fergus Henderson what's that?


my bread maker has the metal mixer welded to the bottom of any loaf i make. i find one to avoid is the herby mediterranean style bread (at least that's what it says on the packet mix) too strong a flavour, reminiscent of disinfectant. good for people whose bread comes out looking grey though - as it's orange coloured. (you just can't eat it, that's all )

home-made wholemeal bread, freshly baked. agreed eine alpensinfonie!

though it can give you really bad indigestion, especially if you eat it warm....(and who doesn't)?

or how about, (if you have 18 hrs to spare).... 'no knead' ciabatta bread, cooked in the oven http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YX_6l2bmvQI

with butter ... ooooooooooyum emoticon.

i would like to make my own pasta too... fettuccini (paglia e fieno) spinach & egg ideally. i have a pasta machine, but as yet haven't got it out of the box. even though fettuccini with freshly picked oregano, black pepper and olive oil practically makes me swoon just at the thought...ooooooooooyum emoticon. in the interim, i make do and 'cheat' with a fettuccini made by 'italiamo'.

[Serial_Apologist]

Fergus Henderson what's that?


my bread maker has the metal mixer welded to the bottom of any loaf i make. i find one to avoid is the herby mediterranean style bread (at least that's what it says on the packet mix) too strong a flavour, reminiscent of disinfectant. good for people whose bread comes out looking grey though - as it's orange coloured. (you just can't eat it, that's all )

home-made wholemeal bread, freshly baked. agreed eine alpensinfonie!

though it can give you really bad indigestion, especially if you eat it warm....(and who doesn't)?

or how about, (if you have 18 hrs to spare).... 'no knead' ciabatta bread, cooked in the oven http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YX_6l2bmvQI

with butter ... ooooooooooyum emoticon.

i would like to make my own pasta too... fettuccini (paglia e fieno) spinach & egg ideally. i have a pasta machine, but as yet haven't got it out of the box. even though fettuccini with oregano, black pepper and olive oil practically makes me swoon just at the thought...ooooooooooyum emoticon. in the interim, i make do and 'cheat' with a fettuccini made by 'italiamo'.

I always imagined you as well-bread, handsome.

[MrGongGong]

packet mix) .

PACKET MIX

Flour
yeast
water
tiny bit of oil / butter
litte salt

what else ?

(ok sometimes seeds, wild garlic, fresh herbs etc but PACKET MIX ???? Never )