Bread flour vs ordinary plain flour?

MrsE_2

mioliere wrote: »

While you're waiting for your breadmaker, try this delicious recipe for soda bread, which uses ordinary flour and doesn't need kneading http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=2787388&postcount=8

The recipe calls for buttermilk, but I make my own sour milk substitute by adding a tablespoon of vinegar to the milk and letting it stand for five minutes, then it's ready to add. The recipe is foolproof so thanks to Smashing who posted it originally!

Hope this helps.

I love soda bread, I got a recipe on here that is similar to yours but uses wheatgerm & bran too.

I make my buttermilk by putting a little lemon juice in the milk.

My recipe says baking power, yours says bicarb, what is the difference?

I also use the orange boxes of Doves Farm yeast in my BM.

Lidls flour is the best of the budget flours & I like Wrights as well, I buy it online.

bitemebankers

MrsE wrote: »

My recipe says baking power, yours says bicarb, what is the difference?

Bicarb is pure bicarbonate of soda, to which you need to add some form of acid (sour milk, lemon juice etc) to activate it.

Baking powder contains both bicarb and a source of acid such as cream of tartar, so you don't need to add anything else.

In soda bread recipes, some people claim that baking powder produces a lighter loaf, but I'm not convinced and I was brought up on this stuff!

deb68_2

hi
this maybe a really daft question but why do you have to use Strong flour when making bread?
years ago would'nt there of been just one type of flour? cant ask any my grandparents both sets passed away
thanks in advance
deb

zippychick

this thread discusses the same thing

Ill merge this later on

Zip

meritaten

the way I understand it, is that 'Strong' flour is capable of holding the dough together while the yeast activates and makes the dough rise. ordinary flour cannot do that and wont rise enough before it collapses!

deb68_2

thank you
i have just found the other thread about flour
thank you for replying
take care
deb

skintmum2012

I was wondering this today as well as I made some bread. Felt to silly to ask I am really pleased you and other people have though cos I really wanted to know

zippychick

theres no such question as a silly one on OS! Things are only obvious if you know the answer.

tigerfeet2006

I completely agree Zippy. Whatever the occasion or board there is no such thing as a stupid question. That is why I have it as my sig.

skintmum2012

I shall remember that when I have my next lightbulb flickering moment