I have been baking more bread since the Covid-19 thing, but have always enjoyed baking bread. Two reasons for using a bread machine though, lack of time, and arthritis that could make your hands, elbows or shoulders too sore to be able to do other things. That said, even the bread machine has its learning problems. If you use one, just be certain to use a recipe developed for the bread machine. Also be sure to use yeast formulated to be used in the machine. They need a quick acting yeast which is a fine powder that rises quicker. I have such a machine hiding somewhere. I think it is in a lower kitchen cupboard behind other items, or on top of the cupboards between the cupboard and ceiling, gathering dust. I'd have to go to the internet for instructions because I really don't know where those are hiding.
Pamela Fairchild <pamelafairch...@comcast.net> -----Original Message----- From: Cookinginthedark On Behalf Of Deborah Armstrong via Cookinginthedark Sent: Thursday, July 23, 2020 11:48 AM To: cookinginthedark@acbradio.org Cc: Deborah Armstrong <armstrongdebo...@fhda.edu> Subject: Re: [CnD] Baking bread by hand I agree that baking by hand is very good for the self-confidence. It's why my Grandma taught me to do it at 7. I needed an adult to put the loaves in the oven for me when I was little but I timed them myself, and of course I did all the kneading and rising myself. But I work full-time at home now and a bread machine satisfys my need for homemade bread with minimal hassle. We dug ours out after it became hard to get bread in the store. My dad, who was a baker by profession teased me mercilessly about using that machine. He never understood why someone who already knew how to do it by hand and from scratch would want to use a machine. If you don't have a full-time commitment, baking bread is truly an awesome way to spend your time! I will however advise you to not get discouraged and read as much about the process as you can. It's a nack that takes time to develop. Your first loaves won't be that great. And there are lots of old wives tales you can ignore, such as needing to scald milk or proof yeast in water first -- unless you use unpasteurized milk or old yeast of course. --Debee _______________________________________________ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark _______________________________________________ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark
