Any other bread bakers out there? (Full Version)

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dixiedumpling -> Any other bread bakers out there? (8/1/2004 1:06:03 PM)

If Sinergy can post recipes, I guess I can complain about one.
I used to have a bread "starter" that was kept in the fridge and was fed with a mixture of instant potatoes, sugar and warm water. It was sometimes referred to as "Herman". I let it die from neglect last spring. [:(] It was also called "sourdough", a misnomer. I ordered a sourdough starter from King Arthur catalogue. Man, is it ever a bunch of trouble. Took from noon Saturday to 3 pm Sunday to make bread with many steps in between. The bread is basically flour and bottled water (specifically calls for non-clorinated water.) And it does have a sour taste. It made two hard, dense, chewy loaves. I don't like it. And (this is the part that hurts my Scottish soul) you have to throw away several cups of starter in the course of making bread and/or keeping the culture alive. King Arthur flour is expensive. It took almost 5 pounds to bake these two loaves. GRRRRRRRRRRRR.

Anyone got any better ideas for bread baking? I almost said I do anything to have Herman again, but know better than to bend over around here. [8D]



SherriA -> RE: Any other bread bakers out there? (8/1/2004 1:40:49 PM)

Good sourdough shouldn't taste sour. Also, sourdough takes MUCH longer to rise than breads baked with other types of yeast, so if you were following your usual rising times you'd get a heavy, dense loaf.

I'm not a sourdough baker, so I can't offer any suggestions in that regard. And I use a breadmachine almost exclusively for baking bread now because the kneading process is too difficult with the arthritis in my hands (though I prefer to do the final rise outside the machine and bake in the oven). If you're a machine baker I have some good resources. Otherwise, I'm afraid I can't be much help. I do have access to some good sourdough resources, but I can't give you personal results because it's not what I bake.



dixiedumpling -> RE: Any other bread bakers out there? (8/1/2004 2:26:59 PM)

The starter came with an instruction sheet. I followed the instructions to the letter including the 12 hour (!) time for the starter to grow and then 7 hours for the sponge to work. It's just more time consuming that I like. The Herman starter took two days to make, but it was spaced out. Feed it in the morning, make up dough that evening, make out loaves the next morning and bake it that evening. Convenient. This new stuff has to be baby sat. If sourdough bread doesn't taste sour, why do they call it sour? Sneaky inconsistencies keep me up at night.



proudsub -> RE: Any other bread bakers out there? (8/1/2004 2:49:06 PM)

I used to make sourdough bread. Someone gave me some of their starter. Maybe you can find someone that will share. I haven't eaten bread since January, except for an occassional piece of whole grain.



SentForu -> RE: Any other bread bakers out there? (8/1/2004 7:44:27 PM)

I hate to admit it, but I can't even make home made biscuits. Mine always end up all hard. Any ideas on your basic biscuit recipes??????



proudsub -> RE: Any other bread bakers out there? (8/1/2004 9:12:28 PM)

quote:

Any ideas on your basic biscuit recipes??????


Bisquick[;)]



SentForu -> RE: Any other bread bakers out there? (8/1/2004 9:22:48 PM)

LOL, proudsub. Makes it simpler huh. Maybe I should just get all this pride done away with, and just ask mom????......[:D]



smile2cu -> RE: Any other bread bakers out there? (8/31/2004 12:25:59 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: SentForu
I hate to admit it, but I can't even make home made biscuits. Mine always end up all hard. Any ideas on your basic biscuit recipes??????

For about 12 Quick Drop Biscuits, here's my recipe:
Preheat oven to 450 (I use a toaster oven)
Mix 1 cup flour,
1/2 tsp salt,
1 1/4 tsp double-acting baking powder.
Add 3 tbs oil,
and blend it in with a fork until the mixture is the consistency of coarse corn meal.
Add 1/2 cup of milk.
Stir about a minute. Should form, in technical terms, a glob [;)]

Drop spoonfuls onto an ungreased sheet, and bake 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned.

I use a bread machine for baking bread. I like rye bread: 1/3 rye flour, 2/3 white, with caraway seeds.


They used to kid me that I'd make a fine wife for some girl some day[sm=lol.gif]



subbiejenn -> RE: Any other bread bakers out there? (8/31/2004 1:52:23 PM)

Hmmmmmm i have a Bread Machine and i still can't make real good bread.. usually taste good but looks bad [:@] ... LOL

*shrugs*



SherriA -> RE: Any other bread bakers out there? (8/31/2004 3:27:44 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: subbiejenn

Hmmmmmm i have a Bread Machine and i still can't make real good bread.. usually taste good but looks bad [:@] ... LOL


You probably just need to tweak your dough ball. About 10 minutes into the cycle check the dough. It should have formed a smooth ball with a slightly tacky texture (about like a post it note - tacky, but doesn't stick to your finger when you touch it). Add either flour or water a bit at a time until you get the right texture.

Humidity, temperature, etc will all affect your dough ball, so it's important to check and make any adjustments.

If you're using primarily whole wheat flour or whole grains then you may need to add additional gluten as well, so that the loaf will rise properly and not be "heavy". You can buy vital wheat gluten in most supermarkets. Just add about 1 tbsp per cup of whole wheat flour/grains.

Using bread flour instead of all purpose will improve the quality of your loaf as well.

I usually use the dough cycle, then shape the loaf and let it rise in a regular loaf pan for the final rise before baking in the oven. I prefer the shape and results that way, but you can get good results baking in the machine if your dough ball is right.



siamsa24 -> RE: Any other bread bakers out there? (8/31/2004 3:55:39 PM)

I have a recipe for several Herman bread starters and bread, I hope it helps. The recipe with potatoes is the last one on the page.

Herman Bread



lanette -> RE: Any other bread bakers out there? (9/1/2004 5:28:22 PM)

MissFem just told me that "Baking Bread" means you have a horrific yeast infection....



MissFem -> RE: Any other bread bakers out there? (9/1/2004 5:32:23 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: lanette

MissFem just told me that "Baking Bread" means you have a horrific yeast infection....





Lady who knew you were gonna post that LOL



PranksterBitch -> RE: Any other bread bakers out there? (9/3/2004 2:23:06 PM)

Pokes Femmy .. doncha love the vanilla designation? lmao .. I bake bread .. although at the mo I think I'll die laughing at the Femmy's idea of bread baking.



MissFem -> RE: Any other bread bakers out there? (9/3/2004 4:56:35 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: PranksterBitch

Pokes Femmy .. doncha love the vanilla designation? lmao .. I bake bread .. although at the mo I think I'll die laughing at the Femmy's idea of bread baking.




I love home made bread .........Pranksta not the kind you and Lanette think...ya pervs



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