Breadmakers

[MyLitespeed]

My husband has decided that he wants to buy a bread maker. I don't really want one since I don't eat that much bread. He is saying it would be really nice to have fresh bread all the time. I use to make it by hand many years ago, several loaves at time.

He is aware that I'm not keen on the idea since I would probably end up the one actually having to measure all the ingredients and put it in. Yes it would be a whole lot simpler then making by hand but still one more thing I would have to do.

I have tried talking (gently) him out of it, but he is determined to get one. He knows I don't want one.

My question is do I just let the silly thing sit there and hope he will make it (or try to) himself or wait until he ask me. If he asks me to make it (I don't want to) what do I say to him.

[tulip]

Um, just say no? Sounds like there's more to the story, but I'm not going to go there. If he gets the breadmaker, he will make the bread or he will go without fresh bread.

What part of that does he not understand?

[sgtiger]

"It's your machine, honey, help yourself. Here's a bread machine recipe booklet I picked up for you."

If it's something you're not into, then why should you be the one doing the work? He's the one who wants it, let him figure out how to use.

ETA: I guess I'm lucky. My husband wouldn't ask me to do something that he knows I disdain. Even though I'm a SAHM, he does most of his own laundry, ironing, etc. He occasionally cooks for us too. Only if he's really pressed for time would he ask me to iron something for him. He's better at the ironing anyway.

[Aint Doody]

It's not too hard to run one. If he really wants one let him make the bread. I have a friend whose husband got really into it. He made little loaves for friends which was really nice.

My dh keeps saying he wants a Jack LaLane Juicer. I keep telling him we have a blender that will do the same thing. So far we don't have the juicer.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

FWIW, here's a 2006 short TE thread about bread machines:
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?p=152815#post152815

[shootingstar]

If a neighbour has a breadmaker for you to borrow for 1-2 days..and give him some easy recipes to select and try himself.

My partner does cook, there's no clear-cut division of time how we split it among ourselves. We each have our cooking areas of expertise that we symbiotically complement each other.....he's great on making all sorts of pureed soups from root veggies that he makes up from his head, whereas I enjoy making whatever focaccia from scratch that we might want, he's the better, creative salad maker, I'm the more decent stir-fry dish creator, etc. We'll will cook across our areas of weakness but "weakness" often means need to consult a recipe/other person (if person is around), or an end result that is not as dynamic.

If you should do the breadmaking, hopefully he can complement with another existing cooking expertise.. :)

I agree too much bread...ain't necessarily good as one grows older ..all those carbs if not burnt off from cycling... :o

Best of luck.

[Irulan]

"It's your machine, honey, help yourself. Here's a bread machine recipe booklet I picked up for you."

If it's something you're not into, then why should you be the one doing the work? He's the one who wants it, let him figure out how to use.

ETA: I guess I'm lucky. My husband wouldn't ask me to do something that he knows I disdain. Even though I'm a SAHM, he does most of his own laundry, ironing, etc. He occasionally cooks for us too. Only if he's really pressed for time would he ask me to iron something for him. He's better at the ironing anyway.

Where's our "I'm with stupid" smiley? :D
Totally, his project, his gig... I mean, it's just another power tool...for the kitchen! Why should you feel obligated at all?

[shootingstar]

... I mean, it's just another power tool...for the kitchen

Well, maybe that's the way for some people to consider to get motivated to use it...that the breadmaker..is like the barbecue grill....another power tool to show off products from its application :D

[Tuckervill]

Forget the bread machine. Get him the book "Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day". Make dough every two weeks and have bread fresh out of the oven every day at dinner!

But if he wants it, he has to make it, no matter which way you go!

Karen

[tulip]

Forget the bread machine. Get him the book "Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day". Make dough every two weeks and have bread fresh out of the oven every day at dinner!

But if he wants it, he has to make it, no matter which way you go!

Karen

Great recommendation--and great bread!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Forget the bread machine. Get him the book "Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day". Make dough every two weeks and have bread fresh out of the oven every day at dinner!

But if he wants it, he has to make it, no matter which way you go!

Karen

Thanks Karen, I've been hearing about this book for a while now. I just looked at some preview pages on Amazon which described the whole technique pretty well, and decided to buy the book used there. I look forward to my first batch! :)
You can read the beginning of the book here in the preview pages:
Artisan bread in 5 minutes book (http://www.amazon.com/Artisan-Bread-Five-Minutes-Revolutionizes/dp/0312362919/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1238637898&sr=8-1#reader)
It all makes perfect sense to me, and I used to bake a lot of bread from scratch back in the day, but have not all the spare time now. This looks like less work than even a bread machine! :)

[smilingcat]

After reading this thread, got a hunkering for fresh baked bread. Total time to finished bread cooling on the rack < 2 hours. I have a mixer with a dough hook :D I don't own a proofing box. I'm just very careful with my convection oven to proof my dough.

Baking bread doesn't have to be an all day affair while making a mess in kitchen. The two hours include cleaning of equipment.

Whole wheat yummo!! qumquat marmalade YUMMO!!

If hubby really wants it but you don't want to make it. He is a big boy learn to make his own especially if he is using a bread machine.

This cook goes on a strike fairly often.

[lph]

We used to have a bread machine and loved it. I did the organizing and lined up all the ingredients plus the necessary measuring stuff in the cupboard directly over the machine, plus taped the recipe to the inside of the door. It took me or dh max 5 min to measure and fill every evening.

But.

No way would I be doing this if I didn't want to, just for dh. Not on a regular basis at least. As for buying it - just say "go ahead, sweetie, I'm sure you'll get the hang of it, I've heard it's easy".

And then
Stay
Away
From
It!

;)

[GLC1968]

If anyone is interested in the Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day - check out my blog. I LOVE that book and use it all the time. I did a photo essay of sorts on one of my batches as an illustration about a month ago. Good stuff and sooo easy!

I can't tell you how many failed loaves I had prior to using this method. A house at 55F is just not conducive to raising bread dough - even my bread machine had issues with it!

Oh, and I'm definitely a fan of the bread machine for simplicity. Dump in the ingredients and walk away. It doesn't get much easier than that. I don't like the shape of the loaf that my machine makes, so I use the dough recipe most times and bake it myself in the oven. While I know that making bread by hand is simple enough, when one can barely find 30 minutes to make a home cooked meal, 2 - 3 hours spent on making bread is a true luxury. A bread machine is a great timesaver (and home made bread costs pennies and is so much healthier than store bought stuff).

Just my .02

[sgtiger]

GLC1968, I just check out your blog the other day, and the pictures of bread were mouth-watering.

BTW a few Qs about the seed starting picture where you used a rubbermaid lid as a tray..... Do the little hand-rolled containers have bottoms? What kind of paper did you use? Can the containers themselves be planted too?

[GLC1968]

Those little containers are just the center cores of paper towel rolls. I cut them into thirds, tie them with the sisal twine (to hold them or else they start to unravel when they get wet), fill them with moistened sterile potting soil and then planted my seeds. They are all sprouting (I should take a new picture) now. When they are big enough, they'll either go into the garden or into larger pots (depending on what they are and the timing in relation to our last frost date). They can be planted, core, twine and all!

The tray with the lip is so that I can water the tray and not the seedlings. This way, they develop better root systems as they grow downward to get to it. Plus, it keeps moss/mold development at the leaf end to a minimum.

[sgtiger]

Yay, yet another use for those. I have a small collection of those right now. I pitch most of them in the compost pile, but save a few for crafts. Always handy.

[MyLitespeed]

I have seen this too many times with my husband to count. He really researches something and then buys one. He either finds out it WASN'T exactly what he wanted or he becomes disinterested very shortly after getting it.

He wants to make "whole grain" bread. I'm sure once he has done it once or twice he will lose interest quickly. I have seen this happen with the wood splitter, which is sitting in the garage. A tiller which has only been used 3 times. An leg exerciser machine which was only used a few times and now has stuff piled on it. A chicken rotisserie which is sitting up in a shelf never to been seen again. Etc. Etc.

I wish I could talk him out of it but I know I can't. I guess I will just have to find a spot in the pantry to keep it once he loses interest. ;)

[Irulan]

sounds like you might have some good stuff to sell on Craig's List.

[GLC1968]

sounds like you might have some good stuff to sell on Craig's List.

I was thinking the same thing!

Were are you located? We could certainly use a wood splitter and a tiller! :D

[Aint Doody]

MyLitespeed--are you married to the same man that I am? It all sounds so familiar.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Waiting for my Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day book to arrive....but meanwhile, I discovered they have a BLOG! :p
http://www.artisanbreadinfive.com/

(now, where'd I store that old pizza stone......?) :confused:

[GLC1968]

Damn you, Lisa! Now I'm combing through that blog for more ideas and simultaneously drooling on my keyboard. :p

That Portuguese corn bread looks amazing...and I just made a huge batch of Portuguese Kale soup that I think it would perfectly accompany.

And, a new book is due out in Oct 09? Yes!

[sgtiger]

MyLiteSpeed - Ohhhhh.... That explains a whole lot. LOL! Maybe you can talk him into a used one so you're not out all the money for a new unit. Or maybe put an ad on CL for a swap of any of the unused items laying around.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

(now, where'd I store that old pizza stone......?) :confused:

Found it!!! In perfect shape, too- a nice big round one! :)


Damn you, Lisa! Now I'm combing through that blog for more ideas and simultaneously drooling on my keyboard. :p

You're quite welcome! :D :D

[Tuckervill]

One of the co-authors of the Artisan bread book is a cyclist!


Jeff Hertzberg has been a physician, university professor, information technology consultant (www.medformatics.com), and ardent amateur baker. He developed a love of great bread growing up in New York City and refined it by travelling the bread-loving countries of Europe by bicycle.

Karen

[GLC1968]

Mmmm, biking to eat bread. I can't think of anything better (except maybe eating it with a glass of wine)! Yum!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Biking and baking!

[gnat23]

sounds like you might have some good stuff to sell on Craig's List.

Speaking of, I bought my breadmaker off craigslist for $10. Looked up the manual online, which included recipes. I use it about once a month, and I have a large tupperware that fits the loaf perfectly and then can go in the fridge to keep the bread from spoiling.

How many features does one really need? A timer, a few different buttons (french, wheat, dough, light to dark crust) and a sturdy mixing blade seems to do the trick OK for me! And I'm only out $10 if I break it. :rolleyes:

-- gnat!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

One of the co-authors of the Artisan bread book is a cyclist!



Karen

Karen, I just mixed up the first batch of dough from the Artisan bread book 'master recipe'.....it's ripening on the counter right now! Later I'll put it to bed in the fridge and bake the first loaf tomorrow after breakfast! I'm excited!
Thanks for your help. :)

[Tuckervill]

Yay! I'm sure it will be good. Don't forget to slash the loaf!

Karen

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Hi,
I did have a couple of failures before I finally got a good loaf, but not too bad considering I haven't even gotten the Artisan Bread book in the mail yet!
Here is my one successful loaf so far:
http://strumelia.blogspot.com/2009/04/bread.html



.

[smilingcat]

Hi,

I'm just really curious about the texture of the bread. I'm still bit skeptical about the texture part. Sort of in-grained into me about the need to properly knead the bread and all.

Well I guess I should give it a try too. Oh dear another book to order... Already have a sack of books to read.

smilingcat

[GLC1968]

The texture of our bread was amazing. The crust is crisp but tender. The crumb is moist, somewhat chewy and wonderful. They refer to the crumb as having a custard like quality which I think means that it's a little on the dense, rich side and less 'airy'.

When you pull it out of the oven, the crust audibly crackles in the cool air. Sooo neat!

Mmmm...I'm drooling just thinking about it. :p

[tulip]

I was skeptical about the lack on kneading, too, but the bread has turned out wonderfully every time I've made it. It would be so good to dip in really good olive oil.

[Tuckervill]

It is a beautiful loaf, Lisa! I'm sure it was delish!

Karen

[MyLitespeed]

Well, couldn't talk my husband out of the bread maker. It arrived today and he is now reading the book that came with it.

My husband is NOT one to help clean up the kitchen, he has only done dishes a few times in the 26 years we have been married.

Since I know that he will make a mess using the bread maker and won't even think about cleaning it, do I just leave it on the counter and see if he cleans it? Should I be the good wife and clean up after him anyway, even if I'm not going to eat the bread?

I don't want to start an argument but I don't want to be his mother either and pick up after him all the time.

[Tuckervill]

Can't you just ASK him to clean up after himself? Have you ever asked him to do the dishes? Did he just flat out refuse, or what? Do you make it hard for him to help out in the kitchen by having impossible expectations?

What chores does he do that he might say the same about you?

(My husband can't say that about me at all. He usually puts the trash on the curb, but if he misses it, I do it. He does dishes without being asked, but I usually do it anyway. I mow the lawn, but he does it if I can't get to it. I never run the weed whacker because it's gas and huge and makes my shoulder hurt and we're not going to starve if nobody does it for a month.)

I'd say just ask him to clean up after himself. If he refuses, you've got bigger problems than just a breadmaker.

Karen

[MyLitespeed]

Your absolutely right, I should just ask him, would save a potential argument.

I guess my thing is that sometimes he has no common sense. If you make a mess you clean it up.

No use making a mountain out of a molehill. I love my husband dearly and wouldn't trade him for the world. I think I'm the problem here.

[smilingcat]

WOOHOO!!!

Don't have the book but I got the jist of it. Modified one of my bread recipe and this is what came out. Yes one did not last for the picture. Will be adjusting the recipe just slightly and change the temperature profile.
Also plan on removing the pan of water after about 20 minutes instead of leaving it in.

To get the nice crust, I needed the steam injector in my oven but the one I have right now doesn't have it. So I've been trying all sorts of things and all failed miserably. Never occured to me about a pan of water underneath. Worked like a charm.

Wow tasted GREAT!!

now I need some brie or some baby swiss... glass of wine... :D

[tulip]

Beautiful!

A big slab of farm butter would do the trick.

I've been wanting a baguette pan like that for a loooong time.

[smilingcat]

Well, couldn't talk my husband out of the bread maker. It arrived today and he is now reading the book that came with it.

My husband is NOT one to help clean up the kitchen, he has only done dishes a few times in the 26 years we have been married.

Since I know that he will make a mess using the bread maker and won't even think about cleaning it, do I just leave it on the counter and see if he cleans it? Should I be the good wife and clean up after him anyway, even if I'm not going to eat the bread?

I don't want to start an argument but I don't want to be his mother either and pick up after him all the time.

Maybe he'll be slightly happier if you at least tried his machine bread. And in return ask him if he'll clean up the mess. If he doesn't clean maybe you should go ahead and clean it. THEN PUT IT AWAY WHERE HE CAN'T FIND IT. May cause rift but hopefully he gets the message.

Really sorry to hear about your angst. One should always clean after your own mess.

Bar-B-Q was another real sore spot when I was married. GRRRR!!!! We won't go there and get me started:mad::mad:

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

SmilingCat- gorgeous!!!!!! :eek: :p :p Oooooohhhh....
When the heck is my book getting here?! DAMN that Media Mail! :cool:

[deedolce]

OMG, fresh bread :drool: ~ women after my own heart! As if cycling too, weren't enough! lol.

I have a bread machine in my classroom, believe it or not, but it's the Republic of Davis, so...it's wonderful to smell the bread and makes the day go better, as many of my moods are regulated by my stomach. :p Doesn't make a huge mess. You throw stuff in the removable 'bucket' and hit a button.

Now I've gotta make bread! I tried the Artisan bread once, but the pot I bought had a plastic handle...:eek:. I need to just remove it, but haven't yet. Maybe I will tonight, I'm inspired by this thread!

GLC1968, you're living one of my fantasies! I'm still in suburbia, but I do have the vegetable garden, and the chickens. :D

Edit: Ha! Making my first recipe of artisan bread! It's now in the fridge...can't wait to try it out tomorrow. But it's 1:30am, so off to bed!!

[tulip]

Right now, right out of the oven, butter, apricot preserves...mmmm

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Edit: Ha! Making my first recipe of artisan bread! It's now in the fridge...can't wait to try it out tomorrow. But it's 1:30am, so off to bed!!

We want to know how it comes out!

I made a loaf of 'regular' kneaded yeast bread last night- came out pretty good.
We had it for dinner- fresh from the oven with butter, and navel oranges. That's it- just bread and oranges and tea for dinner last night! It was like a nice picnic! :)

Tulip- which recipe is that?

[tulip]

It's a variation of a recipe that is an adaptation of a recipe from Artisan Bread in 5 minutes...I got it from the NYT. I substituted some whole wheat flour for some of the white flour. It's soooo good. I make small loaves because it's just for me, and I wouldn't put it past myself to eat a whole regular-sized loaf all by myself. This one will be gone with tonight's soup.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Ok I think I am getting this Artisan bread technique a little better now that I have the book.
My dough batch came out better this time, more elastic, and I understood how to 'cloak the loaf' now.

Look how pretty my simple boule came out this time!
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3584/3446165382_7354503d10.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3573/3446166002_81f304664a.jpg

If I can coax it to puff up a bit more with more bubbles inside the loaf, it'll then be perfect. But it was pretty good, nice and chewy and moist but with a crisp crust.
We ate half of it with chicken soup for dinner just now, and DH said he just LOVED it. :p

This afternoon while my car was getting fixed we went to a couple of good kitchen shops and I bought a few kitchen goodies to help with bread baking...a new bread knife, parchment paper, a peel, dough cutter, some new cutting boards, etc. It's a pleasure to cook when you have the right tools.

[Tuckervill]

That is one beautiful loaf!

I've been slacking. I'd better get back to it.

Karen

[deedolce]

Wow, that boule is gorgeous!! Looks like it came from a bread book or food magazine!

I'm sooo hooked on this bread, Lisa! I don't think I'll ever go back to the old recipes I've been doing for decades! This is my 2nd batch :D as the first one turned into 3 mini loaves, now eaten with gusto by my household. This is still the basic recipe, except I changed out 1 cup of Seminole flour and added a sprinkling of brown sugar. I also do less salt, and coated it with olive oil than sprinkled it with Parmesan cheese and sea salt. Yummers! I know I HAVE to get the book soon...as for now, I'm collecting ideas from their site. Seriously, this is the best bread EVER! So easy, it's pure genius!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/dct45/bread041609.jpg

[GLC1968]

Lisa and Deedolce - both your loaves look delicious!!

This was my favorite bread from the book so far (rosemary and onion focaccia), but the herb bread (basic boule with fresh rosemary and thyme mixed into the dough) was a close second!

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ON1gXz2esyE/ScKoCmZ7TnI/AAAAAAAAA8g/g4r1NbaQ0Rc/s1600/focacia%2Bafter.JPG

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Deedolce- that looks so yummy too! Ooooohhhhh....sprinkled with parm and sea salt- be still my beating heart!!

I was so inspired last night when we ate my bread and my husband was just SO HAPPY and kept saying how much he loved that I made the bread and how good it was. That's what makes me really want to make it regularly now. :p

I love herb bread and cheese bread, olive bread, etc. But I know my husband loves the plain bread best, so I will have to sneak in variations very subtly. :cool: He really went nuts over that simple boule bread from the basic recipe.
I did find the basic recipe that said it makes 4 one pound loaves- well it makes THREE SMALL loaves really. (unless you think a loaf of bread should be the size of a grapefruit). So the next one tomorrow I will work with a larger piece and see if I can get a larger boule yet still have it baked through inside. Maybe I'll make it oval instead of round, to help it bake better.

I love that the ingredients are so cheap that you can feel free to experiment.
We figured it cost about $1.50 a loaf. Our local bakery sells theirs for $3-$4.50 per loaf. Of course there is always CHEAP bread in the supermarket, but that's often kind of a joyless eating experience.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

He willingly gave his life to make others happy....
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3304/3448369039_ccec431661.jpg

[sgtiger]

You're cracking me up, Lisa! Looks delicious, although I try not to eat things that still have their head/face still on.:eek::D

[deedolce]

Ha!! So funny, Lisa. :D Reminds me of something from the Wizard of Oz books I read as a kid. :p

[ZenSojourner]

Seriously, this is the best bread EVER! So easy, it's pure genius!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v340/dct45/bread041609.jpg


:mad:

You are officially in violation of the UN Convention Against Torture!

NOW CUT THAT OUT!!!

[deedolce]

Ha! Too late! I ate the evidence...:D

[crazycanuck]

I bought the following book & am ready to give breadmaking a shot:). River Cottage Handbook no 3, Bread by Daniel Stevens. (I really should footnote properly shouldn't I...:o)

[ZenSojourner]

Well I bought yeast and bread flour yesterday. So I MUST be ready to bake!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Well I bought yeast and bread flour yesterday. So I MUST be ready to bake!

Keep us posted! :p

[ZenSojourner]

Well, so far - I still have yeast and bread flour, LOL!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Well, so far - I still have yeast and bread flour, LOL!

It's still progress over last month! :D

I have a new loaf rising now to be baked- we'll see how this one comes out. I'm still not confident at all yet, since my results have varied so much with the first 3 batches. Guess I'll report back later today.

[ZenSojourner]

Ok, so I finally got around to ordering the breadmaking books suggested here.

What I REALLY want is crusty french baguettes! Hope there's a recipe in one of those books for that.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I'm finding that when I try to make the loaves too big they don't rise as well, something to do with being too heavy and collapsing under their own weight while puffing up, maybe? They are still coming out quite edible, though, but I like the more ball-like boule like I got with the one perfect boule loaf I've produced so far.
So it's back to trying to get 3 loaves instead of 2 out of the standard Artisan bread 'master recipe' batch (the one that starts with about 6 cups flour).

[ZenSojourner]

Books are here! So now I have bread, yeast, and recipes.

Maybe I can make something happen this weekend.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

As I also posted in my personal blog today:

I made another couple of loaves of white crusty boule bread from the Artisan Bread book basic dough recipe today. Since they were a nice petite 8" round size, I made two at once and placed them side by side to rest/rise and bake together.
They wound up 'kissing' each other in the middle- it was so sweet! My husband and I agreed that they represented us rather accurately. So romantic! :p
We ate one boule this afternoon in ham/cheese/pickle/tomato sandwiches (plus snacking on the irresistible heels later), and we'll eat the other one tomorrow. Now I know I can get three of this ideal size round boules from each basic dough batch (made with 6 cups flour). Not too big, not too small.

As the book said, when the dough ages a few days in the fridge before shaping and baking, it has a nicer flavor, nicer crust, and is more chewy/stretchy. This proved true today as these boules were made from 5 day old dough and they really tasted great, with perfect texture. I've started a new dough batch in the fridge.

My new peel and the parchment paper make handling and transferring the dough much easier than before. I think I ham finally getting the hang of it, though I don't really feel confident yet at all- I am still getting uneven results sometimes.

I tried making some baking powder type bread the other day (no yeast) just for fun, and I think my husband and I have become spoiled by this artisan chewy crunchy yeasty bread. The old baking powder bread I used to like ok just didn't float our boats this time. :cool:

I have ordered a few interesting additional bread baking goodies to try out...some sourdough starter, some 'white' whole wheat flour from King Arthur Flours, a lame for slashing the loaves, and I want to try some semolina/durham flour. I also need to get some black sesame seeds, poppy seed, sun-dried tomatoes, nuts, fresh rosemary, and olives to begin experimenting with other interesting breads.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3350/3484114785_a69d2e8837.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3390/3484928910_f21798d59b.jpg

[IvonaDestroi]

My husband has decided that he wants to buy a bread maker. I don't really want one since I don't eat that much bread. He is saying it would be really nice to have fresh bread all the time. I use to make it by hand many years ago, several loaves at time.

He is aware that I'm not keen on the idea since I would probably end up the one actually having to measure all the ingredients and put it in. Yes it would be a whole lot simpler then making by hand but still one more thing I would have to do.

I have tried talking (gently) him out of it, but he is determined to get one. He knows I don't want one.

My question is do I just let the silly thing sit there and hope he will make it (or try to) himself or wait until he ask me. If he asks me to make it (I don't want to) what do I say to him.

tell him beforehand you will have nothing to do with it. If he asks, tell him you wanted it, YOU use it!

[ZenSojourner]

Arrrgh, Bleeker!

NO BAKING POWDER! I threw mine out awhile ago because it was too old.

I MEANT to get some more.

*grump grump grump*

[smilingcat]

Arrrgh, Bleeker!

NO BAKING POWDER! I threw mine out awhile ago because it was too old.

I MEANT to get some more.

*grump grump grump*

and
Ok, so I finally got around to ordering the breadmaking books suggested here.

What I REALLY want is crusty french baguettes! Hope there's a recipe in one of those books for that.

I'm bit confused now. Ar ya' lookin' for a sodabread? or ar ya' lookin' for a baguette?

For a sodabread, you need acid to make the bread rise. So if you are planning to use baking soda (sodium bicarb), you need to use either buttermilk or milk + TBS of vinegar or ... You need some kind of acid no matter what with soda bread.

soda bread as baugettes. now that's interesting...

Oh for a crusty baugettes, you get that effect with steam in the oven as it's baking. The trick provided in the book that really works is the pan of boiling water underneath (on a lower rack) the pan where the bread is baking. water can not touch the pan. Isn't pan also Spanish for bread??

smilingcat

[ZenSojourner]

Baking POWDER

Not baking SODA

I just got confoozled. BleekerStGirl mentioned baking powder and I thought I needed it.

Actually what I need and don't have is unbleached all purpose flour. I have BLEACHED all purpose flour, and I bought BREAD flour, and neither will work well for the recipe in the artisan breads cookbook.

[tulip]

I don't have the book, but I've made plenty of loaves from a recipe adapted from the book (from the NYT). I've used the flour that I have (bleached, and bread flour) and it's worked fine. My recipe does not call for baking powder. I've baked alot of yeasted breads and have never used baking powder. Now for biscuits, it's a must, but not for yeasted bread.

Start where you are...;)

[ZenSojourner]

The book says the dough will be too wet with bleached flour due to a lower protein content. It's a wet dough to start with. It's not a regular bread recipe. I think I'd rather make it the way they tell me to to start with and then see if I can change it. They do give a conversion factor for using bread dough, but say the bread will be denser and chewier because of it, I'll probably go ahead and try that.

If you'll give me your adaptation, I could try that too.

And I actually do need baking powder, for the banana bread recipe a friend of mine gave me recently. That's why I've had baking powder on the brain, then BleekerSt_Girl mentioning it made my brain jump a track.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Yeah, baking powder is fine for making biscuits and banana bread and such.
Definitely not in the plan for the crusty yeast breads though. :D

Smilingcat- I have been faithfully using the steam pan under the baking stone as recommended in the Artisan bread book....and it seems to work fine.
When pouring in the water, you have to be very careful not to drop even a drop of water on the extremely hot 450F oven door glass- I hear it can crack the glass window of the oven door if you do that! So I am very careful when I add the steam water.

[ZenSojourner]

There is a baguette recipe in the Artisan Bread book, but I can't find my peel anywhere. I think it may have warped in storage and got tossed, but who knows.

I'm getting this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Super-Peel-Solid-Maple-Made/dp/B001T6OVPO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&m=AK6OXT5B411QR&s=generic&qid=1241213503&sr=1-1

The manufacturers site has videos of it in use:

http://www.superpeel.com/videos.html

Yeah, it's a little pricey, but apparently the problem I've had with baguettes in the past is picking them up and moving them makes them "degas". Eg collapse and turn into bats.

It's actually a little cheaper than the one they had at Target.

I figure I can do without a bread knife (I should be able to use a steak knife for slashing the loaves, they're serrated too).

I've got the baking stone, don't really have to have parchment paper, but I do need a peel.

Has anybody tried the artisan bread recipe for baguettes?

[Tuckervill]

I just use a wooden cutting board instead of a pizza peel. I have to use both hands and open the oven all the way, but it works just fine.

I didn't want to spend $40 on a peel at Williams-Sonoma (that's the only place I could find one locally when I was looking). So I tried the cutting board and it worked fine.

Karen

[ZenSojourner]

No wooden cutting board either. Mine are all poly, and they're either huge or tiny.

I already sprung for the peel, anyway, LOL!

[Tuckervill]

Does anyone else find the basic bread boule recipe a little salty in the final product? I like bread a little salty, but it seemed to salty to me the last two times. I asked my friends who had some this morning--one of whom avoids salt because she has Meniere's disease and thus recognizes salty taste more--and she didn't notice it very strongly in the bread, but her husband said it wasn't "too" salty. I like the bread a lot, but I noticed the salt, and I LOVE salt. I even decreased the salt by half a teaspoon this time.

Karen