Bread Making Newbie

[Channel Hopper]

I splashed out on a large rye and seed loaf from the not so local German bakers in Petersham for the New year festivities and was slightly surprised at the asking price of £4.50. But it is something I doubt I could come close to cloning at home.

 

[Vipersan]

@nelson_b
I know the outcome is often a bit of a lottery ..
but that loaf you brought me last week was your best yet imo ..
Normally I split in half and freeze some for later consumption..
Not this time ..it was sooo good it was all gone in a couple of days..
Nice!!!

..Now I'll be careful how I phase this ..
imo ..you're a MasterBaker..
;)

 

[pgh13]

I have reluctantly passed bread making duties over to my wife as I don't seem to be able knead the dough properly - probably the arthritis in my hands getting worse.

It's been a few weeks since our last home-made loaf (before Christmas in fact) but she has promised to make loaf today.

Google Dan Leopard stretch and fold! What was always thought of as the obligatory 10 minutes kneading isn't necessary. Get the basic mixing done then leave it for a few minutes. Then a few folds and rest for another few minutes. One more stretch and fold session and leave it to rise

 

[Archive7]

On Saturday I thought I would give my bread machine another test. To my surprise all the flour I bought few months ago has got past the expiry date. How time flies.
So I threw away 4 kilos of flour in the bin.
It seems flour has a maximum life span of about 6 months which is actually around 4 months by the time they are on the grocery shop shelves.
I learnt my lesson. Never stock too much flour unless you intend to use the bread machine more often.

 

[purplemarina]

I think i would have been tempted to use the flour if it was mould/weevil free, after all you were going to bake it

 

[pgh13]

I think i would have been tempted to use the flour if it was mould/weevil free, after all you were going to bake it

Agreed. I've used out of date flour and it has baked fine.

 

[Lazarus]

No problem using out of date Flour.

 

[2cvbloke]

And weevils are just extra protein...

 

[Analoguesat]

Guys can you make cakes, maderia, fruit loaf ect in bread machines? Many thanks in advance.

Sent from my thl_T7 using Tapatalk

The missus makes a nice sweet loaf which has yoghurt cranberries, mixed nuts and a bit more sugar than normal. If shes run out of cranberries then sultanas can get added.

This one is my fav out of the ones she makes as Ive got a sweet tooth.

Shes also done a hot cross bun recipe as a loaf as I asked for something approximating a Selkirk Bannock which is a local loaf made 5 miles down the road and is very yummy indeed

 

[Channel Hopper]

As before my bread requirements have been wholly satisfied in the past month with end of day discounts from the supermarket, and this weekends supply consists of seeded tortilla flatbreads and Irish brown soda bread at some silly pricing.

However I would consider getting the bread maker out again if somebody had a decent scone recipe - preferably using up the ingredients I might have in the cupboard. I had two 'All butter and cheddar' ones from Tesco yesterday and they were lovely with a bit of ginger marmalade on the side.

 

[Archive7]

I think i would have been tempted to use the flour if it was mould/weevil free, after all you were going to bake it

Perhaps, but as it takes too much time and effort to make the bread, which hasn't been satisfactory till now, the least I can do is to use freshly made flour.

 

[Channel Hopper]

Perhaps, but as it takes too much time and effort to make the bread, which hasn't been satisfactory till now, the least I can do is to use freshly made flour.

You could always sift out the weevils and throw the flour away if unsure. There should be some recipes online, probably best to use the wayback machine though.

 

[jeallen01]

"Best By" date = the date by which the supplier wants to sell you some more (even if the product is still fine)! :mad:

I continually have this "discussion" with my wife - she wants to throw something away but I want to keep it because it almost certainly totally fine and edible (like some of the cheese I buy and keep and eat a month or so beyond the Best Buy date because that's when it begins to get really tasty)

 

[Lazarus]

Couldn't agree more. If it looks ok and smells ok, it is ok.

I was horrified at a recent newspaper item that claimed we in the UK waste £700 worth of food each year.

Apart from the fact that that represents about half our entire food budget, I would be surprised if we actually bin more than £10 worth. And I consider that a failure.

 

[PaulR]

I would be surprised if we actually bin more than £10 worth. And I consider that a failure.

Hear, hear.

 

[Archive7]

I was horrified at a recent newspaper item that claimed we in the UK waste £700 worth of food each year.

Same thing happens here, so much food is wasted by the military units, hospitals, restaurants and most houses.
I blame the supermarket trolley. People just load and load and pay enormous sum at the cashier desk, then they throw away half the stuff by next week when they go shopping again.
I try to buy fresh food from a small grocery shop near by nearly every day and I am pleased when I see that the fridge is nearly empty, which is considered a sign of poverty here but to me it a sign of less waste.

 

[pgh13]

Speaking of flour; for anyone shopping in France, I'd recommend Ma Maison 5 cereal Brioche flour. I use it for any fruit bread recipes.