Sunday, November 24, 2013

Bread Machine Success

I know this is so 90's but here is my first loaf of bread from my bread machine!  I was so impressed with my first loaf that I made a second loaf with cinnamon.  Now I have a large supply of bread for toast and soup.  Next, I want to try a half whole wheat version.  I mentioned that to my mother and she pulled out a new package of whole wheat flour from her pantry.  I think she has a magic pantry.  Maybe I should ask for more things.

Since it rained most of the day Saturday, I had fun baking bread, cooking a turkey loaf in the oven, and dehydrating dog biscuits which I made myself out of sweet potatoes, turkey, oatmeal, and kibble.  The dogs weren't too fond of the plain kibble but they think these biscuits are wonderful.  I made a feeble attempt at cleaning the living room.  The couch and bench are clean but there are still boxes on the floor.  I will work on that a little bit at a time.

Today I went to visit my mother and planted her two $8 trees from the Trees for Tucson program.  Since it had rained, the ground was nice and soft.  My sister is visiting with her dog so we went to the new pet food store and bought a few things.  After that, we all (minus the dog) went shopping for Thanksgiving dinner.  We are having the usual turkey with a few non-gluten items for those who need that.  I still have to get through 3 days of work this week before my long weekend.  I'm hoping it is a quiet 3 days.


7 comments:

Lizzie@her MFW Homeworld said...

That is so much better than my bread maker loaves. I like the description of a feeble attempt to clear the sitting room. That's how I would describe all of my housework!

Anonymous said...

I hope I'm not telling you something you already know; please excuse me if I am.

My experience has taught me two things about making whole-grain bread in a machine. First, increase the liquid accordingly because whole-grain flours absorb more water. (10~13% more by weight is a good rule.) Second, the bread will rise higher if you mix the whole wheat flour and the liquid briefly and then let the dough rest. (I usually cover it and stick it in the fridge overnight). This moistens and softens the bran and keeps it from cutting the strands of gluten, thus letting them stretch farther.

Anonymous said...

Oops, I mean 10~13% more by weight for the whole wheat flour portion. If your loaf is 50% white flour and 50% Whole wheat, increase the liquid by 5~7%.

Daizy said...

Lizzie, feeble was pretty much my description for housework too. Except laundry. I dominated the laundry!

Daizy said...

Anonymous, thanks for the tips. I will read them again when I try it out. I haven't really looked in to it yet except for reading a recipe on the back of the whole wheat. I have 2 loaves of bread to eat first.

Big Sis said...

The bread will last longer if you slice it and then freeze it. Without preservatives, bread molds surprisingly fast and it's so awful to throw out something you made...

Daizy said...

The freezer is full of bread and I have to admit, I'm getting a little tired of eating it.