Showing posts with label whole wheat flour. Show all posts
Showing posts with label whole wheat flour. Show all posts

Saturday, 21 May 2011

Simple And Delicious Bread Machine Recipes


If you've tried all the recipes that came in your bread machine recipe book you may want to be a little adventurous and try out some new ones. To avoid baking disasters its best you start off with recipes that are simple and straightforward. But this doesn't mean you have to bake bland bread; far from it.

If you've just been baking bread maybe you should be a little more adventurous and try making dough for bagels, brioche and other delicious pastries. As well as the bread maker recipes that follow, there's some dough ones too, that will, hopefully, whet your appetite enough to try them out.

Autumn Seed Bread

For me fall and the approach of winter signal the start of the home baking year. It's a time when the harvest is in and most ingredients that are used in baking are produced; things like wheat, seeds and preserves.

Ingredients - this will make a 1.5 to 2lb loaf

1 cup warm water

1 (.25 ounce) package yeast

1/4 cup honey

4 teaspoons vegetable oil

3 cups whole wheat flour

1/4 cup wheat bran (optional)

1 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup sunflower seeds

1/3 cup shelled, toasted, chopped pumpkin seeds

Directions

Apart from the seeds, put all the other ingredients into the bread pan in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Select the whole wheat cycle and press start. If your machine has a signal for fruit or nuts, add the sunflower and pumpkin seeds at the beep. Just before the bake part of the cycle you can brush on some beaten eggs on top of the dough loaf and sprinkle on some of the seeds.

Blue Cheese And Port Bread

This is delicious bread that I bake around Christmas time. I love to eat it while still warm in front of the fire with a glass of rich red wine.

Ingredients - this will make a 1lb loaf

2/3 cup warm water

2 cups bread flour

1 tablespoon sugar

1 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons butter

2 tablespoons port red wine

1/4 cup Danish blue cheese

1/4 cup coarsely chopped walnuts

2 1/2 tablespoons applesauce

1 1/2 teaspoons yeast

Directions

Apart from the cheese and walnuts, put all the other ingredients into the bread pan in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Select the basic bread cycle and press start. If your machine has a signal for fruit or nuts, add the cheese and walnuts at the beep.

Brioche Dough

Brioche is a sweet, eggy bread that is almost a cake. It's perfect to eat first thing in the morning along with a cup of strong French coffee. The loaf is baked in the oven but the dough is prepared in the bread machine.

Ingredients - this will make a 1.5lb loaf

1/3 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)

3 eggs

2 egg yolks

3/4 cup softened butter

3 1/3 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 cup white sugar

1/2 teaspoon active dry yeast

Directions

Put all the other ingredients into the bread pan in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Select the dough cycle. While the dough is being nixed and kneaded you can preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Turn finished dough out onto a lightly floured board and knead 5 to 10 times. Separate into 2 or 3 pieces. Roll with hands into strips. Braid or twist strips together. Place onto a parchment lined baking sheet and brush the top with egg wash. Bake for about 20 minutes or until medium browned.

Perfect Bagels

Bagels make great sandwiches. The heavy, dense dough makes a bagel sandwich a meal in itself.

Ingredients

4-4 1/2 cups flour

2 x (.25 ounce) package yeast

1-1 /12 cups warm water

3 teaspoons sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1 additional teaspoon sugar

1 beaten egg white

Directions

Put all the ingredients into the bread pan in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Select the dough cycle. After the first kneading is finished, turn the machine off and allow dough to rise in pan for about an hour. Then bring a large pot of water to boil and add additional sugar; simmer, maintaining a slow steady boil. Turn on oven to 350°F. Prepare baking sheet with non stick spray and cornmeal. Turn out dough on a floured surface. Divide into 12 pieces. Shape bagels by making balls and punching a hole in the center. Put bagels, 3 or 4 at a time into water and cook for 1 1/2 minutes on each side. Transfer to baking sheet with slotted spoon and brush with egg white. Add any toppings you wish to use. When all the bagels are on the baking sheet, bake for 15-18 minutes or until golden brown.

The above bread machine recipes are just a few of my favorites. They're all delicious and easy to make. Experimenting with different recipes has not only been rewarding for me but also great fun and I hope you'll soon discover more recipes that you can call your own.

Follow the links for more delicious bread machine recipes as well as bread machine reviews on leading brands like Oster, Cuisinart and the Breadman bread machine.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robin_Cassidy
http://EzineArticles.com/?Simple-But-Delicious-Bread-Machine-Recipes&id=911713

Sunday, 24 April 2011

Bread Machine Recipes A Whole Wheat Iced Breakfast Bread

This bread machine recipe for whole wheat bread is suitable as is for most bread machines. Add the ingredients in the order that your machine tells you, but for the most part that will be liquids first and flour last with the yeast sprinkled on top right before inserting the baking pan into the bread machine. This is a delicious breakfast bread that you will enjoy with your morning cup of coffee.

Bread Ingredients:

2 tablespoons brown sugar. Pack it tightly into the measuring spoon.
1 1/2 teaspoons salt.
2 tablespoons canola oil. Some people prefer olive oil but I think it adds the wrong taste.
1 1/2 cups water. Lukewarm from the tap or bottled if you prefer.
1 c. whole wheat flour
3 c. unbleached white flour or bread flour. My favorite is King Arthur brand.
1 3/4 teaspoons yeast.
Optional: almonds or raisins

Icing Ingredients:

1/2 stick butter
2 drops of vanilla
1/2 pound powdered sugar
milk to consistency

Let the bread bake through to completion, about 3.5 hours. Take the finished bread out of the baking container and let it cool on a rack. You can use the time to make the icing. For the icing, melt the butter in a microwave until it is just becomes pourable. You don't need it to be red hot. Add the melted butter, vanilla, and half the powdered sugar to a bowl. Add a little milk and a little more sugar in several batches until you use up all the sugar and get a consistency that pours easily in a thin stream. If it's too thick add a few more drops of milk at a time, and if it's too thin add a teaspoon or so of powdered sugar at a time until the consistency looks right.

Move the bread to a large dish to catch the drippings and pour the icing over it. Let it cool and enjoy. You could probably substitute 1 c. of wheat flour for 1 c. of unbleached flour but read the directions for your bread machine. Many bread machine recipes never use more than 1 c. of wheat flour.

If you are shopping for a bread machine the Zojirushi X20 Home Bakery Supreme has some attractive features. It makes a conventionally shaped loaf of bread with selectable light, medium, or dark crust. It has two kneading paddles to handle the stiffest dough, which also unfortunately leave two holes in the bottom of the bread when removed, and a 13 hour ahead timer so you can accurately time your fresh baked breakfast bread. One particularly unique and attractive feature is the quick sourdough starter cycle that prepares a light sourdough starter in two hours instead of the seven days it takes with the conventional method.

Learn more about the Zojirushi bread machine that has fast become the favorite with bread-making aficionados.

Everything for the well equipped American Kitchen: http://kitchenamerican.com/shop.php

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Boston
http://EzineArticles.com/?Bread-Machine-Recipes---Whole-Wheat-Iced-Breakfast-Bread&id=4082831

Tuesday, 19 April 2011

Making Whole Wheat Bread

Making Whole Wheat Bread

It is important to understand the special techniques in making whole wheat bread. Homemade whole wheat bread has a distinct taste and texture, not to mention, all the nutrients that will keep you slim and fit. Some individuals use 100% whole wheat flour but fail to acquire the right firmness. You may end up with a very hard loaf if you do not follow the guidelines strictly. Here are some tried and proven tips from the experts.

The Basic Factors

To make the best 100% whole wheat bread, you need 3 things. First, always use adequately high protein flour, or alternatively, add some vital wheat gluten to the bread dough. Second, avoid adding flour a long while before you need to. Third, knead consistently and nonstop. You will find that using a food processor helps you with the kneading process, since you get to save more time and effort. You can also use your hands or a mixer with a dough hook to get the job done.

Whole wheat flour is heavier compared to white flour, so you need to develop good strong gluten to make a soft crumb and pleasing texture. The higher protein content you have, the more gluten available. Avoid adding too much flour or you risk creating loaves that are hard as a brick. Kneading continuously leads to gluten forming a consistent and strong matrix.

The Recipe

To make a full loaf, you will need 3.5 cups of 100% whole wheat flour, 2 tablespoons of vital wheat gluten, 1 1/4 teaspoons of salt, 2 to 3 tablespoons of sugar, 1 package of dry yeast, 1 tablespoon of oil, 1 tablespoon of liquid lecithin and warm water. If you are using food processors to do the kneading for you, always use ice water. Once you master the recipe, feel free to add more ingredients like seeds and nuts.

These ingredients are enough to make a loaf weight about 1 1/4 pounds, baked inside an 8.5 x 4.5 inch pan. This pan is ideal compared to metal or glass pans. The metal can create an ideal exterior crust along the sides, baking the loaf evenly throughout. The smooth hard surface will let go of the loaf quickly after baking. This pan also cleans up very easily.

Understanding the Process

There are a number of processes to be followed to make 100% whole wheat bread that has soft and crumb texture. You can knead using a food processor, your hands or the mixer, but the process is radically the same. The 4 processes included are the mixing process, the kneading process, the rising process and the baking process.

Using Bread Machines

You can also use bread machines that provide you the exact amount of every ingredient added in a certain order. You can have the machine operate independently to do the four processes. This is excellent with dough that is made with some white flour. It is not ideal for dough that is 100% whole wheat flour. Whole wheat bread generally requires more rising and kneading times.

Thursday, 14 April 2011

Bread Machine Recipes To Tickle Your Taste Buds

Even if you're a novice you can make all sorts of delicious home made breads in your bread maker. Here are some mouth watering and free bread machine recipes with easy-to-follow directions. And, if these don't appeal, there are hundreds more to choose from.

If you've never made any bread recipes except those that came in your bread machine's recipe book, don't be afraid to experiment baking new and scrumptious breads. Bread makers make baking bread almost child's play; just follow the instructions below and explore the tasty world of wholesome, home made bread.

Almond and Poppy Seed Bread

Nuts and seeds are complementary ingredients in many breads. This recipe conjures up images of family summer picnics.

Ingredients - this will make a 1 1/2lb loaf

1 1/4 cups buttermilk
1 1/2 tablespoons almond extract
3 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
1/3 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 tablespoons of poppy seeds
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 tablespoons of gluten (optional)
3 1/3 cups whole wheat flour
1 1/2 teaspoons of yeast
1/2 cup almonds, chopped

Directions

Except for the nuts, put all the ingredients into the bread pan in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Select your machine's sweet cycle with a light crust setting. Add the nuts when you hear the bread machine's signal to do so.

Orange Millet Bread

This is a lovely sweet, citrus bread that's perfect for Sunday afternoon tea.

Ingredients - this will make a 1 1/2lb loaf

5/8 cup of warm water
1/2 cup orange juice (freshly squeezed is best)
1 1/2 tablespoons of butter
1 1/2 tablespoons of honey
3 tablespoons of raisins
Grated rind of 1 orange
2 cups white bread flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
3 tablespoons whole millet
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
3 tablespoons raw, unsalted sunflower seeds
3 teaspoons active dry yeast

Directions

Put all the ingredients into the bread pan in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Select your machine's sweet cycle with a light crust setting.

Potato Bread

This is an old favorite. Rather than using raw potatoes, this recipe makes it easy by using instant potato flakes.

Ingredients - this will make a 1 1/2lb loaf

3/4 cup of milk (you can us either full or semi skimmed)
3/8 cup of water
1 1/2 tablespoons butter
3 cup bread flour
1/4 cup instant potato flakes
1 1/2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons active dry yeast

Directions

Put all the ingredients into the bread pan in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Select your machine's basic bread cycle.

Cheese and Roasted Red Pepper Bread

An exotic bread that is perfect for any Mediterranean or North African meal.

Ingredients - this will make a 2lb loaf

3/4 cup of warm water
1/3 cup chopped roasted red bell peppers (other sweet peppers are fine too)
1 tablespoon of softened butter
2 cloves of crushed garlic
3 1/4 cups white bread flour
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (try to use fresh if possible)
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil leaves
2 teaspoons active dry yeast

Directions

Put all the ingredients into the bread pan in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Select your machine's basic bread cycle.

The above recipes are just a tiny fraction of the free bread machine recipes that are available online. Go on, experiment and broaden your bread baking world.

Follow the links for more delicious and free bread machine recipes and found out why many consider the Zojirushi bread machine the best bread machine you can buy.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robin_Cassidy
http://EzineArticles.com/?Free-Bread-Machine-Recipes-That-Will-Tickle-Your-Taste-Buds&id=1245049

Sunday, 10 April 2011

Maximizing Bread Machine Recipes

In both bread machine recipes and oven baked recipes, we only need three primary ingredients to make cakes- flour, liquid, and the yeast. Once these basics are prepared, you can add, mix and experiment on some other ingredients that will enhance the taste of simple recipes.

Baking a bread by hand and with the help of bread machine follows the same basic processes. The only crucial difference is that rising, mixing and baking are all done inside the machine. However, this doesn't imply that you must not keep a close observation on what's cooking in your bread machine. The little window is there for a reason, remember?

Flour

The structure-giving component in all breads is the flour. And this is further supported by the gluten content of the cake, bread, wheat and other flour varieties.

However, gluten comes in varying levels in different types of flour. Hard wheat has the strongest and largest gluten amount per cup. (Perhaps 6 grams or more in each cup.) Bread machine flour however, is somewhat identical with that of the all-purpose flour.

Gluten is important in baking since it gives the body for the bread. It also helps yield chewy texture.

Meanwhile, vital wheat gluten is a food item that creates the benefits of gluten in non-gluten or less gluten content flour varieties such as whole-wheat flour, rye flour, oatmeal, soy flour and cornmeal. This is usually used when your bread machine recipes requires such varieties as we have mentioned.

Liquid

The most popular liquids used in bread machine recipes are buttermilk, milk and water. The general rule of thumb in using liquid and other main ingredients is to allow them to settle at room temperature. If your bread machine recipe requires eggs, you must follow this rule too.

Since active dry yeast is dissolved in warm liquids (but definitely not hot!), it becomes an exception to the rule. One main point to remember in most bread machine recipes is that they seldom make use of fresh milk. (Who wants milk that has been exposed to the external environment for a whole night anyway?) Instead, we alternate powdered buttermilk or non-fat dry milk. However, if you're planning to mix the ingredients right away and bake them immediately, you can substitute fresh milk with buttermilk or water then cancel powdered milk.

Yeast

As we have noted earlier, yeast yields the body for the bread. Yeast is a one-celled plant that feeds on starches and sugar which in return, gives off carbon dioxide- a leading element in raising the size of your dough. Since it is a living organism, it can be vulnerable to very harsh conditions such as too hot or too salty environment.

But yeast takes considerable time to activate in the dough, more often 45 to more than an hour. That is why you often see that recipes require the use of another yeast breed - rapid-rise yeast. This is a special formulation that can be mixed directly into the dry ingredients.

All bread machines are not created equal. Please note of the maximum size your bread machine yields and the estimated size of the recipe that you will bake. Bread machines can either make 1 pound, 1 ½ pound or two-pound loaves. Please be sure to follow the guidelines as stated in your user manual. Make use only of recipes that have proportionate amounts of ingredients with your bread machine or try to adjust the quantities accordingly.

For more fresh information on Foods and Recipes [http://food-lands.info/], Kindly visit us at Food Lands [http://food-lands.info/].

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kenny_Yong
http://EzineArticles.com/?How-To-Maximize-The-Perfection-Of-Your-Bread-Machine-Recipe&id=421502

Saturday, 9 April 2011

Simple Breadmaker Recipes for Homemade Bread

Simple Breadmaker Recipes for Homemade Bread

When bread makers first came out years back people felt that all you could use them for was plain white bread. Well that is not even close to being true any more. There are now dozens of fantastic recipes available for all kinds of bread. What you will find is that the ingredients you use in a bread machine will be a little different than if you were baking bread normally. The results are just as good however.

Below is a selection of recipes that are very simple to make, very affordable, and most of all, deliciously healthy. They only take a few minutes to prepare and the results will make everyone happy. So go ahead and try them out. Crack open your breadmaker and give one of these yummy recipes a try.

Basic White Bread

1 1/4 cups water

2 tablespoons powdered milk

2 TBSP oil (l usually use canola)

1 tsp salt

3 1/4 cups all purpose flour

1 1/4 tsp yeast

Just use the standard wet on the bottom dry on top mixing process. This is delicious with butter and honey while it is still hot.

---

Grain & Honey Bread

3/4 cup warm water

2 TBSP honey (liquid or melted)

2 TBSP olive oil

1 tsp salt

2 TBSP lemon juice

3 1/2 cups whole wheat flour (mixed grain flower is OK too)

1/2 cup rolled oats

2 tsps granulated yeast

Put the salt in the breadmaker first, then add all other ingredients except the yeast, oats and flour. Add the oats and flour. Make a small hole at the top of the dry ingredients for the yeast. Bake as usual.

---
Cheesy Buttermilk Bread

This yields a moist and tasty loaf. It also stores very well, but you'll probably finish it before that even matters!

1 and 1/8 cups buttermilk

1 tsp salt

2 TBSP sugar

.75 cup extra sharp chedder (grated)

3 cups bread flour

1.5 tsps bread machine yeast

Prepare as usual. All wet ingredients first, then the cheese, then dry ingredients, and the yeast on top.

--------
Oat Bread

Use natural rolled oats. Just put them in a pot with boiling water, and then let them soak until they cool off. Then add the other ingredients and proceed as usual.

1 cup rolled oats

11 fl.oz. water

1/2 tsp salt

3 Tbsp brown sugar

2 Tbsp olive oil

3 cups flour

1 tsp yeast

Baking bread is a wonderfully delicious way to add great nutrition to you family's diet. Give the recipes a try and add some flavour to your meals.

Lynne Birch writes on home decor and home improvement. http://www.my-kitchen-appliance.com has a selection of articles and reviews of kitchen appliances that is growing daily. Recent & updated Bread Machine reviews.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lynne_Birch
http://EzineArticles.com/?Easy-Breadmaker-Recipes-for-Homemade-Bread&id=142449

Thursday, 24 March 2011

A Sourdough Starter Recipe

A Sourdough Starter Recipe

Sourdough started about 6,000 years ago when human found out how to boost the leavening and fermentation of grains to be brewed into drinks or baked into bread. A portion of the fermented grains were then saved by people in the past to begin the fermentation of the next batch of bread. Sourdough was then born from this recurring practice. The saved part is now referred to as a sourdough starter. The bread made from the mix is called sourdough bread.

What is Sourdough?

A sourdough starter is described as a natural leaven, or a mix of liquid and grains where wild yeasts and bacteria thrive to flavor and leaven the bread dough. The yeasts thrive naturally on the grain surface, in the air or soil and in fruits and vegetables. The bacteria are specific strains of the benign bacteria Lactobacillus.

Yeast and lactobacilli live peacefully in a symbiotic relationship. Both do not try to get food from each other. Yeast actually helps feed lactobacilli in certain cases. Lactobacilli, in turn, create an acidic area that is conducive for the yeast. The acids inside the culture will serve as an antibiotic wherein the lactobacilli can provide a protective environment for yeast. Lactobacilli help bread rise as well. Similar to yeast, the bacteria digest simple sugars located in flour to produce carbon dioxide and ethanol. The acetic and lactic acids created add flavor to the bread, having a wide array of flavors. In certain periods, the bread can have a sour tang because of sourdough.

The Recipe

The ingredients you will need are 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 packet or 2.25 teaspoons of active dry yeast, 2 teaspoons of granulated sugar and 2 cups of warm water (about 110 to 115 degrees F). You can also get good results by using whole wheat flour. Whole wheat start will not have a lot of rising action compared to something made with white flour. You have to plan longer rising periods. Adding whole wheat flour together with white flour can also be done to cut rising time.

More Tips

If you add some sugar, you will boost the yeast process. Yeast feeds on sugar to get extra energy. Yeast will rise by feeding on the sugars inside the flour and getting rid of carbon dioxide in the process. Do not put in too much sugar, however. If the water you use has chlorine, you can use bottled water, tap water or distilled water instead. Make sure you set this out for 1 days before you make the starter. Chlorine can cease the yeast development.

Mix the yeast, sugar and flour together in a sterile container. Ideally, you should only use ceramic or glass to contain 2 quarts. Stir in the water and continue mixing until you create a thick paste. Cover the container using a dish cloth and allow to sit at 70 to 80 degrees F. Temperatures higher than 100 degrees F usually kill the yeast. Observe how the yeast rises as you finish the process for optimum results.

Wednesday, 2 March 2011

Make Flat Bread


Flat bread is one of the easiest types of bread to make. There are different kinds available as well. You can expect to whip up a couple or more in only a few hours. You can even have fun inviting your partner or kids along to do the bread making. Flat bread can be very tasty and nutritious, while there are also others that are simple and fat-free. Here are some tips.

Making Fat-Free Flat Bread

Some of the ingredients you will need to begin include baking powder, hot water and flour. Get 1 tablespoon of baking powder for every 2 cups of flour. Mix the dry ingredients thoroughly. Use the dough hooks in a mixer using relatively slow speed. Add the hot water slowly until you form a thick and sticky ball. Use dry flour on both hands, on the counter and on the rolling pin to keep the dough from sticking. Hand knead the dough and be careful not to over knead.

Start forming dough balls with sizes slightly bigger compared to a golf ball. Roll the dough into a circle about 1/8 inch thick. Cook the dough immediately over medium heat or less. Flip it once after the bubbles rise in the dough. Cover the cooked fried bread using a towel until everything is ready to eat. Enjoy the flat bread and eat the same way you would a tortilla. You can deep fry it with butter or sprinkle on some sugar and cinnamon to be enjoyed as a delectable dessert.

You will find it easier to use a round cast iron griddle, although a good mixer can do a decent job. If you do not own a mixer, you can stir the contents using your hand and a sturdy wooden spoon. You can even mix using your fingers. Knead the dough briefly, not like you would a yeasted bread. The goal is just to blend the dough to create smooth consistently, instead of building gluten.

A More Versatile Recipe

Get a cup of white all-purpose flour and a cup of whole wheat flour. This recipe becomes an Indian and Mexican fusion because of the flours used. Add 1 package of dry yeast to the dry flour to keep it protected from the warm water. Add 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 tablespoon of sugar. If you want to experiment using other spices like rosemary, sesame seeds and garlic, you may add these as well. Mix all the dry ingredients very well. Add 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil into the flour and spices using your hands.

Divide the dough and form evenly round balls. Measure 1 cup of hot water in a measuring cup and 1 tablespoon of molasses or honey. Add these to the dry ingredients and mix together until you form a soft ball that is not very sticky.

Allow everything to rest for 30 minutes. Make 8 to 10 small balls. Cut the dough ball into 2, then half this again. Flatten the round balls using a rolling pin. Allow the dough to rest for a few minutes, while waiting for the griddle to get warm. Cook the dough using medium high heat. When the bread puffs and bubbles, flatten using a spatula and push the air bubble around the inside before you press firmly to let go of the air.

Friday, 18 February 2011

Homemade Bread Making Hints and Tips

Homemade Bread Making Hints and Tips

If you want to bake homemade bread successfully, you have to understand that there are different available types. You need to know how each one appears and follow the guidelines that will lead to the best quality, flavor and texture. Homemade breads have been formulated by families for hundreds of years. Here's your chance to finally whip out your own recipe.

About Industrial Bread

The difference between homemade bread recipes with commercial ones is that commercialized bread is made to have uniform substance and texture, to be produced on a massive scale and to have just enough shelf-life for you to keep returning to the grocery. Excessive amounts of yeast help produce a lot of bubbles inside the bread, which leads to the light texture of the bread. Lower quality grains are also used and can lack the essential nutrients. The main goal of commercialized bread is to be produced as cheaply as possible to earn the highest profit.

Preservatives may also be used to help boost shelf life, which reduces manufacturing cost. Some of the ingredients you need to be cautious about include high fructose corn syrup, calcium dioxide, datem, ethoxylated mono and diglycerides, dicalcium phosphate, sodium stearoyl lactylate, calcium propionate, soy lecithin, ammonium chloride and ammonium sulfate.

Advantages of Being Homemade

Homemade bread has the advantage of having high quality ingredients, better flavor, taste and texture and longer shelf life. You put in the right materials into the mix to ultimately create the best-tasting bread. Some of the things you need to know are that different flours function differently too. Try to make whole wheat bread or rye bread. The flour will also have various properties. Add the flour slowly into the bowl until it barely sticks to your hands. Whole wheat flour will need one-half cup less flour compared to white flour.

When making Italian bread, substitute salt with garlic salt. Add the Italian seasonings like rosemary and oregano before you begin to stir. Double the recipe to make two loaves of bread instead. You get to save more time and effort too. Try to experiment with different ingredients. You may want to work on pizza dough and cinnamon rolls later on.

Shopping for Ingredients

When making your homemade bread, you can shop for ingredients in different places to get only the best quality ingredients. You can actually search the internet and have some materials and ingredients shipped right to your doorstep. You can even have starters sent. You should also visit different groceries and supermarkets and look at the difference between breads. Try to determine the special ingredients that bakers add to get the appearance, flavor and texture you want.

Feel free to add condiments and other sweeteners to make special kinds of homemade bread. It will also require some more techniques to get the right crust and make toast bread. Depending on the kind of bread you want, you will have to employ different techniques and tools. Homemade bread is convenient, easy and cheap, so enjoy the experience and learn every step of the way.

Thursday, 27 January 2011

Mouth Watering Bread Machine Recipes

If you're getting a little tired of using the recipes that came with your bread machine, why not be a little adventurous and try out some new ones. You can find thousands of free bread maker recipes online and just about all are child's play. Here's just a few to whet your appetite.

Fall Harvest Bread

For many, fall and the approach of winter is the signal to get the bread machine out of the closet. The following recipe is an easy to make and tasty bread that uses autumn seeds.

Ingredients - this will make a 1.5 to 2lb loaf

1 cup warm water

1 (.25 ounce) package yeast

1/4 cup honey

4 teaspoons vegetable oil (you can also use olive oil)

3 cups whole wheat flour

1/4 cup wheat bran (optional)

1 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup sunflower seeds

1/3 cup shelled, toasted, chopped pumpkin seeds

Directions

Apart from the seeds, put all the other ingredients into the bread pan in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Select the whole wheat cycle and press start. Add the sunflower and pumpkin seeds when your machine signals you to do so at the 'add extras' part of the cycle. Just before the bake part of the cycle you can brush on some beaten eggs on top of the dough loaf and sprinkle on some of the seeds.

Oatmeal and Fruit Bread

This recipe makes a moist loaf that is sweet and is a favorite with children.

Ingredients - this will make a 1.5lb loaf

1/2 cup of old-fashioned rolled oats

5/8 cup of water

1/2 cup of unsweetened applesauce

2 3/4 cups of bread flour

1 1/2 teaspoons of salt

2 tablespoons of brown sugar (white can be used instead)

1 1/2 tablespoons of nonfat dry milk powder

1 1/2 tablespoons of butter (margarine can be used instead)

1/2 cup of raisins

2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon (or mace if your prefer)

2 teaspoons of active dry yeast

Directions

Put all the other ingredients into the bread pan in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Select the basic bread cycle with the light crust option and press start. The loaf should be left to cool for at least one hour after baking.

Easy Potato Bread

This is an old favorite; however this is a breeze to make as it uses instant potato flakes rather than raw potatoes.

Ingredients - this will make a 1 1/2lb loaf

3/4 cup of milk

3/8 cup of water

1 1/2 tablespoons butter (or margarine)

3 cup bread flour

1/4 cup instant potato flakes

1 1/2 tablespoons granulated sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

2 teaspoons active dry yeast

Directions

Put all the ingredients into the bread pan in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Select your machine's basic bread cycle.

I hope the 3 recipes above tickled your fancy. As you can see both preparation and baking is extremely simple, so even the most time-constrained baker can use them. Remember, there are far more free bread machine recipes online, so if the ones above don't appeal you're sure to find plenty of others that will.

Follow the links for more delicious bread machine recipes as well as bread machine reviews on leading brands like Oster, Zojirushi and the Cuisinart bread machine.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robin_Cassidy
http://EzineArticles.com/?Mouth-Watering-Free-Bread-Machine-Recipes&id=943518

Wednesday, 19 January 2011

More Bread Maker Recipes

More Bread Maker Recipes

Bread maker machines have become enormously popular in recent years and it is not difficult to understand why, when you can simply pop in the ingredients and let the machine make fabulous bread for you.

Below is 2 delicious recipes for you to prepare today:

1. 100% Stone Ground Whole Wheat Bread

Amount Measure Ingredient - Preparation Method:

- 3 cups 100% Whole Wheat Flour-level
- 3/8 cup Wheat gluten flour-level
- 1 1/2 cups Water at 110 degrees
- 3 tablespoons Honey
- 4 teaspoons Active dry yeast
- 2 teaspoons Salt-heaping

Directions:

- Mix in separate bowl, flour, gluten flour and salt.
- Pour water into bread pan. It is important to use thermometer and that the water be 110 degrees.
- Sprinkle yeast into the water. Stir with wooden spoon until yeast is thoroughly dissolved.
- Add honey. Stir with wooden spoon until honey is thoroughly dissolved.
- Add flour mixtures.
- Gently stir in each corner of pan to help mix mixture.
- Place container in bread machine.
- Put on Bread menu (medium or light).
- Bread Freezes well.

2. 100% Whole Wheat Bread for Bread Machine

Amount Measure Ingredient - Preparation Method

Regular Loaf

- 1 cup Water
- 2 1/2 cups Wheat bread flour
- 1 1/4 tablespoons of Dry milk
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 1/2 tablespoons Butter
- 1 1/4 tablespoons Honey
- 1 tablespoon Gluten
- 2 teaspoons Molasses
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Fast-Rise yeast *** OR ***
- 2 teaspoons Active-Dry yeast

Large Loaf

- 1 1/2 cups + 2 tb Water
- 3 3/4 cups Wheat bread flour
- 2 tablespoons Dry milk
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Salt
- 2 tablespoons Butter
- 2 tablespoons Honey
- 1 1/2 tablespoons Gluten
- 1 tablespoon Molasses
- 2 1/8 teaspoons Fast-Rise yeast *** OR ***
- 3 teaspoons Active-Dry yeast

Directions:

The trick to making 100% whole wheat bread in your machine is an extra knead, which gives the yeast and gluten a second chance to create a lighter loaf.

When your first knead cycle is completed, simply reset the machine and start again. Some manufacturers produce home bakeries with a whole wheat cycle; If your machine doesn't have one, this start- again method works as an easy alternative.

Success Hints:

The gluten gives the whole wheat flour the structure necessary for a good loaf. If your market doesn't stock wheat gluten, try your local health food store. Remember the extra knead. It's especially important in 100% whole wheat bread. Because of the extra knead, use this recipe only on the regular bake cycle.

Want more recipes? You welcome to visit our website: The Recipes Package and Affordable Pasta Salad Recipes for more delicious recipes.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lucille_Green
http://EzineArticles.com/?Magic-Chef-Bread-Maker-Recipes&id=1733984