Bread: The Staff of Life

[amateur51]

Once tasted, home-made bread can never be forgotten and is frequently yearned for.

Making bread at home can be a wonderful way of constructing time, heating a room with a purpose in mind, getting in touch with the past.

Bread-making has probably never been easier, with a the range of flours and yeasts readily available in supermarkets and specialist shops, the advent of farmers' markets for different examples and sources of information and encouragement, plus a wealth of good books to guide you.

A recipe for bagels from the Guardian:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandsty...-bagels-recipe

The physical process itself can be very therapeutic and for those of a more mechanical bent there are bread-makers.

So ... advice, observations and experiences of bread-making please

[Caliban]

I've tried a couple of times over the years, the bread always comes out an unappetising grey colour and of a brick-like consistency....

[Northender]

Well, if you WILL buy your bread-making kit from Dev Alahan's Olde Corner Shoppe...

[Serial_Apologist]

Once tasted, home-made bread can never be forgotten and is frequently yearned for.

Making bread at home can be a wonderful way of constructing time, heating a room with a purpose in mind, getting in touch with the past.

Bread-making has probably never been easier, with a the range of flours and yeasts readily available in supermarkets and specialist shops, the advent of farmers' markets for different examples and sources of information and encouragement, plus a wealth of good books to guide you.

A recipe for bagels from the Guardian:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandsty...-bagels-recipe

The physical process itself can be very therapeutic and for those of a more mechanical bent there are bread-makers.

So ... advice, observations and experiences of bread-making please

I'd only do it if I kneaded the dough.

[amateur51]

I've tried a couple of times over the years, the bread always comes out an unappetising grey colour and of a brick-like consistency....

Were you aged two and aged three Caliban?

I remember my scones always turned out that colour when I was aged three, but I had lovely clean hands.

No wonder poor Daddy looked a bit glum when his arrival home was greeted with shrieks of "Daddy I've made more scones!!"

[Northender]

I'd only do it if I kneaded the dough.

Crumbs!

[amateur51]

I'd only do it if I kneaded the dough.

My mother always referred to the hymn "I need Thee every hour" as "The Baker's Anthem"!!

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

You just can't beat home-made wholemeal bread, freshly baked.

[MrGongGong]

We have been making bread for years using a machine
but more recently i've got a rather nifty sourdough mother going (using a Fergus Henderson method ) so tend to
make lots of this as it's my favourite bread
nice with shredded wild garlic etc etc

[amateur51]

We have been making bread for years using a machine
but more recently i've got a rather nifty sourdough mother going (using a Fergus Henderson method ) so tend to
make lots of this as it's my favourite bread
nice with shredded wild garlic etc etc

Oh that sounds good, homemade sourdough - does it make ultra-crunchy toast, MrGG?