The good thing about the UK, is that February and March (or March and April) depending where you live, are council tax free months. Rather than the council take this tax every month, it is taken over 10 months, giving your finances a boost this time of year.
We both love home made bread but I am getting to the stage where elements of it are becoming tiring. After a year or more of deliberation, we have invested in a bread making machine. I am not a purist and homemade bread is just that, whether it be by your own hands or a machine as far as I am concerned.
We bought one the other day and after washing what we needed to, made our first loaf, a basic quick white. We chose the large size, medium crust and 55 minutes later, here it is:
One crust removed to show you the inside:
Close up of the crumb:
It smelt wonderful, tasted gorgeous and had a lovely springy feel to it. The machine is pretty quiet which is another benefit. We put it through our slicing machine (just fitted) and got 12 slices from it. My own made bread would give us 16 smaller slices, so all in all, a good comparison.
I agree with you. Sometimes time is short or it is inconvenient to make it by hand. A great labour saving machine IMHO. I still like to make the occasional loaf or baps though. I went through a phase of making sourdough but it was a bit time consuming although very satisfying and the loaves were second to none.
ReplyDeleteI love sourdough so shall see about it later on.
DeleteI wouldn't be without my bread maker, it does everything for you and tastes just as good.
ReplyDeleteVery true. I shall try a cake in it soon.
DeleteLooks delicious. I have a bread machine but it bakes the bread standing on end instead of like in a traditional loaf. Yours looks like the latter. Do you mind sharing the manufacturer? How is your Brexit box coming?
ReplyDeletePanasonic 2500, smallish paddle. Brexit box coming along, not sure what else to add to it.
DeleteI had a bread maker for years until it packed up last year so back to hand made. I did like it but the paddle made a big hole in it so middle of the loaf not good for slices.
ReplyDeleteThe paddle in this is small and only a small hole is left.
DeleteI've had 2 breadmakers in the past, fine while they lasted. The hole left by the paddle could be a bit of a nuisance though. Now I just use my stand mixer to do the mixing and kneading, and bake in the oven.
ReplyDeleteThat’s how I made bread before this, so shall see how long it lasts.
DeleteMy bread machine makes the same size loaves as yours.Because the larges slices don't fit in my husband's sandwich keepers for work without cutting the crusts off I cut the loaf in half and then lay it on it's side(cut side down) and then slice.We get two loaves of bread that way.Even though the slices look smaller they are very filling .
ReplyDeleteI did think of that, will see how these slices go, thanks.
DeleteOurs is a Panasonic. It was an unexpected gift from a friend in 1998. Its still going strong I hope yours lasts as long and gives as much pleasure. When my daughters lived at home and we had 4 lots of sandwich lunches to prepare, it was in use daily.
ReplyDeleteSo do I.
DeleteSince I broke my wrist the first time (never mind the second) I can no longer knead bread dough and leave it to my bread machine. Since it is in there to begin with I just let it bake in the machine as well.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Seems to also use less electricity as well.
DeleteMy bread machine is a Sunbeam Compact, as I am only cooking for me. I use it mostly to mix, knead and do the first rise, then use my own pans and bake in the oven. My dear Dad (now 88) is on his 3rd bread machine and makes most of his bread. We are both experimenting with spelt flour. I hope you get as much enjoyment and nourishment as we both do. Michelle in Wellington, New Zealand.
ReplyDeleteI hope so too, trialling a cake this morning.
DeleteMy hands were too sore to do the kneading anymore, bought a barely used breadmaker for $30- & it changed my life. I make buns & pizza dough in it as well as cinnamon loaves. Made in the home is made in the home, I've not had anyone turn their noses up to it!
ReplyDeleteI agree. If people don’t like it they don’t have to eat it. Made a wheat germ loaf, way too dry. The next white loaf was also great.
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