Bread Machines

Funny - my last post was about bread that I made by hand and this one is about bread machines.  Seems like a contradiction, but so many things have come up about bread machines lately that I thought I would post a few thoughts here.

I was in a store the other day near some bread machines that were for sale.  There was a couple near me, looking at various things and the husband pointed out the bread machines, asking her if she wanted one.  Her response was so similar to many that I hear.  "No, I had that one a  long time ago and never used it (used it only once or twice, etc.).  They are just a waste of money."

I reflected on buying my first bread machine after I heard this discussion.  I bought a cheapie machine at Wal-Mart soon after my wedding and did as the lady at the store said - I used it once.  The bread was horrible and after that, if I made bread, I made it completely by hand.

Then, a few years ago I was at my local Homeschool Convention.  As I walked into the vendor hall with a friend, an amazing scent filled my senses and I think I literally floated to the booth in the far back corner of the massive hall.  The booth was for a company called Bread Beckers and I believe that I spent most of the rest of my time at that convention at their booth - watching, asking, talking, listening, learning and, yes, tasting!  I left there changed on my views of bread making, but didn't buy a thing.  I did take a free CD that heralded the health benefits of eating bread made from freshly ground wheat, though.  I didn't need much convincing.  Always being one to look for new ways to take care of the temple that God dwells in for myself and my family, I consistently and diligently search for ways to reach this goal.  Not to mention, the things I tasted were amazing!

Mark and I were blessed to sell a house that year, the year of the great rise in prices, and we made a nice profit.  We talked about it, analyzed the cost vs. the benefit to our family, and decided to take the plunge and get the things we needed.  We went back to the Bread Becker's booth at another Convention nearby and purchased the Zojirushi Bread Machine as well as the Nutramill to grind our own flour.  It sounds so Little House on the Prairie-ish to write that, but I love it!  The fresh ground flour makes everything taste better and fresher and it feels so good to know that I am putting unprocessed, whole wheat grains in my family.

So, what about the bread machine - do we use it or did I use it once and that was it?  The truth is, I use my machine at least several times a week, even though I take my dough out and bake it in the oven (simply because I like the shape I can make by hand better).  I trust this machine to take the wholesome ingredients I put in it and mix them thoroughly and properly for a perfect dough.  Then, I am able to make rolls, bread, pizza crust, cinnamon buns, sandwich pockets, etc. The possibilities are only limited by my creativity and time! If I didn't have the bread machine, I would like to think that I would still consistently bake bread, even by hand, but I know that there would be times when reality would take over in the busy-ness of life and it would be easier to stop and buy a loaf.  The machine helps me to continue making bread at home when I just have to throw the ingredients in the pan and go about my business.

So, when I hear people talk about what a waste bread machines are, I feel sad for all that they miss out on by using this amazing kitchen tool.  Here is my favorite bread recipe, in case you were wondering! :D

Gathered Ingredients:

 

Grain ready to mill:

  

Fresh ground flour:

1 1/2 c. tap water - as warm as it will get straight from the tap
1/3 c. olive oil
1/3 cup honey
2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. gluten
2 Tbsp. lecithin
1/2 c. flax meal
4-4 1/2 c. freshly ground hard red flour
1 Tbsp. instant yeast

Pour the water, olive oil and honey into the bread machine.  Add the salt, gluten, lecithin, flax and about 4 c. of the flour, in order.  Make a small well in the top of the flour and add the yeast.  Place in the bread machine.

I set it on the basic dough setting which takes 1 hour and 50 minutes to complete the cycle.  I will check the machine when the "add" timer beeps to see if it needs anymore flour (this will vary based on temperature, etc.).  This is where the extra 1/2 cup of flour may be needed!

Dough is ready to be punched down and formed:

When the timer beeps, I take the dough out and, on a normal occasion, I make 3 average sized rolls which I place on a greased cookie sheet.  I take a small amount of dough, form a rope and tie a knot.  I set these aside and then take the rest of the dough and lightly punch it down while forming it into a loaf shape.  Place it in a greased loaf pan and set in a warm place to rise to the desired height or doubled, about 30 minutes to an hour.

Ready to rise:

Bake at 350* for 20 minutes, remove and let cool on a wire rack.

Fresh out of the oven.  I wish you had smell technology on your computer, cause this is pretty much amazing!

I have used bunches of recipes, many of which are very good, but this is my overall favorite.  It is just right for us!  Do you have a favorite bread recipe?  Oh, and the ingredients are mostly gotten from a local co-op through the Bread Beckers.  You can get info from their site if you are interested in learning more.

BTW - I mentioned that sometimes we use the dough to make pizza.  Sometimes when I am making bread, instead of making the three rolls, I use that dough and make beauties like this for lunch.  Yeah, homeschooling is tough sometimes!

Homemade Spinach Alfredo Pizza:

I'll save that recipe for another time!