Okay guys, I just want to start by saying I'm not a sellout. I used to have something against the use of bread machines. They take the hard work and appreciation out of bread making. It's an art form that shouldn't be rushed and manipulated to cut corners. There's something really special about the whole process. Activating the yeast, kneading the dough with your hands, waiting in anticipation for it to rise, and finally the glorious satisfaction when your beautiful golden brown loaf is retrieved from the oven.
It would be delightful if there were enough time every week to bake hand made bread and still accomplish everything else that goes along with life. However, some weeks are busier than others and the only option is to eat icky store bought bread or pay an exorbitant amount of money for a hand made loaf. Or! drop all your ingredients into a magical machine before you go to bed and wake up to freshly baked deliciousness. Clearly you see where I'm coming from, right? I'm glad you've seen the light.
Don't ever pay full price for one of these things. They are a usual player on the yard sale circuit. Everyone I know who owns one snagged it second hand for mad cheap or free. I found this one at a yard sale in Missoula for $3. It seems like they were super popular when they first came into stores but since then have petered out. When spring cleaning comes around the bread machine is one of the first appliances to get the boot (and this is where you come in and swoop it up!).
Erin lent me an awesome bread machine recipe book, The Bread Machine Cookbook (excellent self-explanatory title). Here's one I've tried so far. Great sandwich bread. This stuff is solid! there's no way it will ever get smushed in your lunch box.
Oatmeal Sesame Bread
Ingredients:
1 1/3 c water
2 tbs butter
2 tbs brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp salt
1/3 sesame seeds
2/3 rolled oats
3 c whole wheat flour
1 package active dry yeast
Order of operations:
First load the bread pale with your wet ingredients. Then your dry. Then dig a little whole and place in the yeast. Turn on machine. Done! You could adapt this recipe for hand making, just mix all ingredients and kneed for 10 minutes, rise in warm spot for 1.5 hrs, then bake for 45 at 350F.
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| oh yummy! nothing can compare to PB&J. Almond butter, apricot jam and sliced bananas on fresh (still warm) bread. |
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| This is why I didn't have time to bake bread :p |
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