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General Discussion => Hobbies & Crafts => Topic started by: Simon on January 24, 2010, 13:39

Title: Success!
Post by: Simon on January 24, 2010, 13:39
My first attempt at bread making was a great success, and last night, it produced a wonderful, soft, crusty white loaf, which I had a taste of last night, and made toast from this morning.  I used one of the packs of bread mix, so I just had to add water and wait a couple of hours, but at least it worked!  My only trouble was slicing it, as it's so soft, I tend to can't help but squash it.

What's the best way to store bread?  It seemed to be going a little hard on the open side, within an hour, so I put it in a plastic carrier bag, and it seems to have kept OK overnight.
Title: Re: Success!
Post by: Sandra on January 24, 2010, 13:54
I always cut the end crust off a loaf then save that to replace over the cut end after cutting more slices Simon, that seems to stop the cut face drying out as quickly and going hard and keep the loaf in a plastic freezer bag.

The secret to slicing a fresh loaf is to let the knife do the work, dont use any pressure and it should slice it as thinly as you like without squashing it.
Title: Re: Success!
Post by: Simon on January 24, 2010, 14:05
Oh, I don't want it thin, I like my doorsteps, Sandra.  Good tip about the crust though.  I ate that!  ;D
Title: Re: Success!
Post by: Sandra on January 24, 2010, 14:13
I rarley eat the end crust so I use it as what I believe is called something like a sacrificial piece, such as where something rusts in place of the thing that you dont want to get rusty  :)
Title: Re: Success!
Post by: Simon on January 24, 2010, 14:18
It will be interesting to see how they turn out from scratch.  The bread mix tastes fine, but I think it could have done with a little more salt and sugar, just to pep up the flavour.  I also have a 'malty' version to try.
Title: Re: Success!
Post by: Baz on January 24, 2010, 14:23
ill have to get our bread maker out and start making some more too.Funny thing about not eating the crusts though,we do the same as Sandra and 'store' it with the cut end of loaf...does indeed stop it drying out as quickly.

anyway if you eat the crusts it puts hairs on your chest doesnt it  ;)


we also got a yogurt maker from santa.its ok still experimenting at the moment.seems a bit thin when its set but has a decent taste to it.


also just remembered that I love the smell of freshly baked bread in the house
Title: Re: Success!
Post by: Rik on January 24, 2010, 15:56
We also save the end piece as a 'seal' for the loaf - it definitely helps.
Title: Re: Success!
Post by: Simon on January 24, 2010, 16:23
I'll try that next time.
Title: Re: Success!
Post by: sam on January 24, 2010, 16:29
I want fresh bread now... of course I don't have anything (or the inclination) to make it and there is a foot of snow underfoot - nah you know what I don't want any now :-D
Title: Re: Success!
Post by: Rik on January 24, 2010, 16:31
I'll put a loaf in the post if it will help, Sam. :)
Title: Re: Success!
Post by: sam on January 24, 2010, 16:40
 :laugh:
Title: Re: Success!
Post by: Clive on January 24, 2010, 17:10
Plastic bag is the best way to store it Simon.  Paper bags are absolutely useeless.  Mrs Clive cuts off both crusts and eats them straight away.  Best part of the loaf! 
Title: Re: Success!
Post by: Simon on January 24, 2010, 20:05
That's what I thought, Clive.  I have a malty one on the go now.  ;D

The only thing with the breadmaker is, you have to keep an eye on the time, as it beeps very quietly for about 5 seconds when the bread is done.  I would have preferred a more audible alarm, which didn't turn off until you attended to it.
Title: Re: Success!
Post by: Clive on January 24, 2010, 22:38
You don't have to worry to much about that pinger Simon.  The breadmaker keeps warm for about half an hour after the pinger to stop the bread from spoiling.  I left mine for nearly an hour the other day because we went out for longer than anticipated and the bread was still as good as ever.
Title: Re: Success!
Post by: Simon on January 24, 2010, 22:45
I was more worried about burning it!  Did a malty from a mix tonight, and it was brilliant!
Title: Re: Success!
Post by: Clive on January 24, 2010, 23:04
No it won't burn because the main heater turns off when the pinger goes.  That part of it is foolproof.  I can tell you are enjoying the bread!
Title: Re: Success!
Post by: sam on January 24, 2010, 23:24
are you sure.... I see someone tempting fate there!
Title: Re: Success!
Post by: Simon on January 24, 2010, 23:26
 ;D  I haven't tried it from scratch yet.  I'm planning on one of the recipes posted on here.  :)
Title: Re: Success!
Post by: Clive on January 24, 2010, 23:31
are you sure.... I see someone tempting fate there!

I've made all the mistakes possible but even I have never managed to burn a loaf!   ;D
Title: Re: Success!
Post by: Simon on January 24, 2010, 23:36
Perhaps I won't use one of your recipes then.  Come back Gill!!   :crazy:
Title: Re: Success!
Post by: Clive on January 24, 2010, 23:42
As long as you put all the ingredients in my recipe works fine.  But if you forget the yeast or the sugar then not so fine.   ;D
Title: Re: Success!
Post by: Simon on January 24, 2010, 23:51
I gathered that.   :laugh:
Title: Re: Success!
Post by: sam on January 25, 2010, 00:01
yeast we forget.  :crazy:
Title: Re: Success!
Post by: Simon on January 25, 2010, 00:57
Oh, Sam!  :groan:  ;D
Title: Re: Success!
Post by: sam on January 25, 2010, 01:11
thought I had to take it to the next level.
Title: Re: Success!
Post by: sam on January 25, 2010, 01:12
Oh, Sam! 

Normally that response is after something else....  :devil:
Title: Re: Success!
Post by: Clive on January 25, 2010, 08:32
 :pmsl:
Title: Re: Success!
Post by: Simon on January 25, 2010, 09:17
:lol2:
Title: Re: Success!
Post by: Rik on January 25, 2010, 09:50
It doesn't burn but the crust does get a little chewier.
Title: Re: Success!
Post by: Simon on January 25, 2010, 10:59
I like crusty crusts, but not sure about chewey. ;D
Title: Re: Success!
Post by: Rik on January 25, 2010, 11:01
It's definitely best to get it out to cool as soon as it's finished baking, so we do set a timer.
Title: Re: Success!
Post by: Simon on January 25, 2010, 11:06
I shall become a master baker yet.  ;D
Title: Re: Success!
Post by: Rik on January 25, 2010, 11:09
It does take some time and experimentation, but it's worth it. You'll never eat shop-bought bread again.
Title: Re: Success!
Post by: Simon on January 25, 2010, 11:56
Oh, I'm sure I will.  This will be a short lived novelty, knowing myself.
Title: Re: Success!
Post by: Rik on January 25, 2010, 12:00
 ;D

Something else for eBay then? ;)
Title: Re: Success!
Post by: Simon on January 25, 2010, 12:39
Something else for the garage, more like.  ;D
Title: Re: Success!
Post by: Rik on January 25, 2010, 12:42
Time for a bigger garage?
Title: Re: Success!
Post by: Simon on January 25, 2010, 12:47
Time for a bigger house!  ;D
Title: Re: Success!
Post by: Rik on January 25, 2010, 12:56
You'll fill both, trust me...
Title: Re: Success!
Post by: Simon on January 25, 2010, 13:30
I would, that's the trouble.  I need a serious de-clutter.
Title: Re: Success!
Post by: Clive on January 25, 2010, 13:39
I shall become a master baker yet.  ;D
Most of us will have misread that!   ;D
Title: Re: Success!
Post by: Simon on January 25, 2010, 13:40
:hehe:
Title: Re: Success!
Post by: Rik on January 25, 2010, 16:17
:rofl: great riposte, Clive.  :thumbs:
Title: Re: Success!
Post by: Simon on January 25, 2010, 17:51
I'm surprised you didn't spot it!  ;D
Title: Re: Success!
Post by: Rik on January 25, 2010, 17:53
My mind was on food, Sue was stuffing the haggis.  ;D
Title: Re: Success!
Post by: Simon on January 25, 2010, 19:04
I wonder what she was thinking at the time?   :o ;D
Title: Re: Success!
Post by: Rik on January 25, 2010, 19:04
Revenge!  ;D
Title: Re: Success!
Post by: Simon on January 25, 2010, 19:05
 :)x