The cheapest loaf of bread

RHemmings

Happy_Girl wrote: »

Someone on OS did calculate it, and it came to something like 25p for white, and 35p for wholemeal using a breadmaker!

And no yukky preservatives either!

Lidl sells bread flour that works very well in my bread maker. White bread would cost about 25p as you mention all told.

But the biggest savings are making things such as fruit or seeded bread. I.e. it's not so much the cost savings versus the cheapest "value" white loaf where the breadmaker justifies itself, it's when you might want something a bit more special purpose.

For some reason, I find that 100% wholemeal loaves come out far too "wholemeal". I generally use 25% wholemeal and 75% white. Seems a very good compromise.

Today I have "five seeded" part-wholemeal bread for lunch. Yum! And yesterday's white for toast for breakfast.

ampersand

Another tip(very ms, too) - I think it was from Mrs Micawber and I don't wish to claim credit for something that is not my own - is to use your otherwise drained off potato or rice or pasta water as your bread liquid.
It's a very good idea and will keep in fridge for a few days until next bread is due.

The price jump in Mr T's basic bread flour, to 70p, is a big'un.

RHemmings

ampersand wrote: »

Another tip(very ms, too) - I think it was from Mrs Micawber and I don't wish to claim credit for something that is not my own - is to use your otherwise drained off potato or rice or pasta water as your bread liquid.
It's a very good idea and will keep in fridge for a few days until next bread is due.

What difference does it make to the bread?

ampersand

Aids proving - kickstarts when it's sometimes slow.

MrsE_2

So are their any breadmakers than you can just throw the ingredients into & it mixes, kneads & cooks itself?

Any got timers, so you cam set them to make it at a certain time?

Whats the basic ingredients for plain white bread?

RHemmings

MrsE wrote: »

So are their any breadmakers than you can just throw the ingredients into & it mixes, kneads & cooks itself?

Any got timers, so you cam set them to make it at a certain time?

This is precisely what you do for all breadmakers that I know of. If I use my breadmaker to make the largest size white loaf, I just put all the ingredients in, in the right order, push one button once and four hours later, it's all finished.

Whats the basic ingredients for plain white bread?

Flour, yeast, sugar, salt, fat (I use sunflower oil), and water. I much prefer flour with flour improver already added, but you can use powdered vitamin C.

This is my breadmaker. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Panasonic-SD255-Breadmaker-Raisin-Dispenser/dp/B000QUYW62

You can buy cheaper ones.

ampersand wrote: »

Aids proving - kickstarts when it's sometimes slow.

I'll definitely give that a go then.

seth

RHemmings wrote: »

Lidl sells bread flour that works very well in my bread maker. White bread would cost about 25p as you mention all told.

But the biggest savings are making things such as fruit or seeded bread. I.e. it's not so much the cost savings versus the cheapest "value" white loaf where the breadmaker justifies itself, it's when you might want something a bit more special purpose.

For some reason, I find that 100% wholemeal loaves come out far too "wholemeal". I generally use 25% wholemeal and 75% white. Seems a very good compromise.

Today I have "five seeded" part-wholemeal bread for lunch. Yum! And yesterday's white for toast for breakfast.

To lighten whole bread you can use 3 types of yeast: Dried, Instant and Live. The live and dried should be added to the water (warm) and left for at least 20 minutes with a little sugar. I just set the delay timer so the yeast has 5 to 7 hours before the programme starts: Result well risen wholemeal in the morning.

An alternative to live yeast would be a ball of dough from a previous loaf, or a biga or poolish starter dough.

These will help the wholemeal bread rise a lot more.

I find that the recipes in the breakmaker manuals use alot of salt and sugar. I found I could halve the salt and replace tablespoons of sugar with the same number of teaspoons of sugar.

The key thing is to make single small alterations that work for you.

For wholemeal at 50:50 mix of strong white (bread) flour to wholemeal work well. You can also try a 1 part strong to 2 parts wholemeal.

The French bread programme for most bread makers can yield reasonable results as it may have a longer rise time than wholemeal programmes.

Sunflower seeds and pumpkins seeds 120g or more added to the mix can also add interest to the wholemeal bread. A splash of sunflower oil of vegetable oil can also make the wholemeal loaf taste richer.

seth

MrsE wrote: »

So are their any breadmakers than you can just throw the ingredients into & it mixes, kneads & cooks itself?

Any got timers, so you cam set them to make it at a certain time?

Whats the basic ingredients for plain white bread?

As RHemmings pointed out they all do this. I've an old LG breadmaker that I got from freecycle, it works well. I also got a new breadmaker from freecycle it is the cheap Cookworks stainless steel model from Argos, this was £35 before xmas now it is £49. Argos used to to the same unit with a plastic case not stainless steel, for £29. I've been impressed with both the old LG model and the new entry level unit from Cookworks. As well as bread these machine can make cake (you have to mix the cake ingredients up yourself so it just acts as an oven) and Jam!

All the reviews and posts I've read seem to suggest the Panasonic is the model that is the best. Its around £75 for the basic model and £93 for the one that adds seeds from a hopper in the lid. Again most people who buy the cheaper Panasonic would recommend getting the more expensive model with the nut dispenser.

I found the the local library had lots of good books on breadmaking.

If you wanted a 60second recipe for bread with no kneading or special equipment it might be worth trying a "no knead" recipe. The results are spectacular.

There are offers sometimes on the Morphy Richards if you want one of their offerings.

One word of warning. Spare for bread makers are very expensive. A new pan is around £40 a new belt £20 and a new mixer blade £30 so take care of all the bits that come with the breadmaker! It is easy to leave the mixer in the bread if your model has a mixer that pops out with the bread like the Panasonic and the new Cookworks model.

Argos has release a new entry level Cookworks unit in their new Jan 09 catalogue. Not used this yet. This might be a good low cost option if you do not want to spend lots on the Panasonic. If you can afford it the Panasonic seems to be the model to have the latest model has a new setting for rye bread.

MrsE_2

seth wrote: »

If you wanted a 60second recipe for bread with no kneading or special equipment it might be worth trying a "no knead" recipe. The results are spectacular.

Thank you Seth

Yes the Panny seems to be the way to go.

Might ask for it for mothers day:D (DH will chip in).

I would probably stick to plain white & Irish soda bread (love that) & walnut bread (love that too):D

Is the no knead recipe you refer to above for breakmakers?

seth

MrsE wrote: »

....Is the no knead recipe you refer to above for breakmakers?

The no knead recipe does not need any tools or machines, if you watch the video you will see how to make bread with a 60 second mix, 12 to 19 hour wait, and a 30 to 40 minute bake. It is make superb bread. I prefer the no knead method when I remember!

You just need flour, salt, water, a bowl a spoon an oven and a glass, pyrex or enamel casserole dish. Cheapest I found found was an enamel one from Wilkinson £6.50. If you have a quality cast iron one all the better but they can cost a lot!

Breadmakers are also useful. E.g to make a dough for pizza or bagels as well as fresg bread in the morning with the press of a few buttons!

When using a bread making machine, I'd still recommend a good set of scales, digital not sprung. Get a set that can use rechargeable batteries, not the type that take watch batteries. Mine use AAs

This is a link to my post: http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=18119241&postcount=80

I like walnut bread too! Lidl Walnuts are good quality and not too costly. I think most bread makers do soda bread, this is not something I've ever made!