Need advice on baking bread

gailey_2

I currently buy mixes from supermarket wrights are 65 p and hovis 35 p a pack. They are really easy all I do is add water and mix with spoon, shape by hand rise the bake.
I have a bread tin to make a loaf and make rolls too.

Would I be better off making breda from scratch using a breadmaker?
The packs im using say they can be used in breadmaker.

Which is cheapest as would have initila cost of breadmaker or am I best to stick to what im doing as it works for us and cheaper than buying bread.:j

Gangstabird

I have the Panasonic 253 and I did use it for months. Then I went off the taste and went back to buying bread. THEN I read the 5 minute artisan bread which you are already doing in a way and liked that but need to improve on it.

I would say stick with the way you are doing it. Breadmakers are not really worth buying unless you buy a top quality one (in my opinion anyway as many friends bought cheaper versions and used them a couple of times).

Emmy_L

I bought a breadmaker,but like gangstab, we kinda went off the taste.I use the breadmake primarily for dough whn making garlic bread,pizza bases,stuff like that.
If you find what you are doing now easiest,then carry on that way

KAAT_LADY

I tried artisan bread

it was too hard for me so went back to BM but I add all sorts to the dough

Penelope_Penguin

Why not make bread by hand without a BM - there's a thread here. It's very theraputic, and much easier than I remember from school.

I made a batch of 16 rolls on Friday. They took about 3 hours start to finish, but only needed me for about 15mins.

Penny. x

lynzpower

You can put the Hovis mixes straight into a breadmaker.

the only point of BMs if if you cant do it by hand for whatever reason or you dont have an oven.

gailey_2

Thanks to everyone who replied I think I will stick to breadmises as they inexpensive, simple and I like making bread by hand.
Might treat myself to extra tin and bread slicer.

:j

liz545

If you prefer making bread by hand, why not try making a loaf without the packet mix? My basic recipe is adapted from the one in Nigella Lawson's Domestic Goddess and it's very simple:

500g white bread flour, plus more for kneading
1 sachet yeast
1 tablespoon salt
300ml warm water
1 tablespoon instant mashed potato powder, added to water
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened

1. Mix the potato with the water; mix together the dry ingredients, and slowly add the water.

2. Add salt and butter. Knead.

3. First rise for about 1.5 hours or until it's doubled in size.

4. Punch-down and shape into a round loaf or put in a tin.

5. Preheat oven to 220c.

6. Second rise for about half an hour or until it's puffy again.

7. Bake for 35 minutes. Check for doneness. Take loaf out of the pan, put on oven rack for another 5 or so to crisp up the bottom.

8. Allow to cool thoroughly on rack before slicing.

9. Enjoy!

Biggles

Instant mash and butter are interesting additions, Liz. What effect do they have on the bread?

But I agree, the basic recipe for bread is so simple I would never bother buying a bread mix.

mouseymousey99

my suggestion is a food mixer (I have a Magimix) but depends on how much space/money you have. I use the dough hook (my hands are not much good) - and use cheapo flour (sometimes branch out to wholemeal). As you are enjoying what you are doing go with it. Like the mash idea Liz. I use my own mix for bread/pizza etc (add herbs). I don't bother weighing anymore; I sort know by the feel when its ok.

liz545

The mash adds a small amount of potato starch to the recipe, which keeps the bread moist, and seems to make it last longer before going stale, the butter makes the bread taste a little richer and softens the crumb. I usually grease the bowl with a little oil to prevent it sticking, and sometimes knead the bread on an oiled, rather than floured, surface - it just seems to result in a better loaf!