handmade bread

sunshine6650

Hello All,

I need some help!!!

Ive spent the last hour on the Index Thread for complete Breadmaking!!

I want to make handmade bread (No Bread Maker) any tips!!
Ive tried a few times & its always rock solid on the outside, is that over cooking (its never too brown!) Ive used Strong bread flour, or 1/2 & 1/2 with plain..left it to rise, not left it to rise! Just a few bullet points or killer recipes!

I am hoping for a BM when i see a good deal! In the meantime!!....Just a basic hits & recipe!

The index collection was a lot BM!

Thank you all in advance for your wisdom! (think of me as a real life pass it on!!)

Ness
x

Penelope_Penguin

Try this thread - handmade bread I'll merge this post to that one later

Penny. x

phizzimum

I would recommend weezl's no knead bread recipe - as it's very very quick to make and the results are consistently good. you can find it in the recipe index at the start of weezl's 50 p thread but from memory it is -

1.5 kg wholemeal flour (doesn't have to be strong, can be ordinary plain wholemeal)
sachet yeast
3 tsps salt
2 pints warm water (or enough to make a dough that's sticky but not slimey)

mix it all up in a big bowl
divide into 4 loaf tins
leave to rise for about 45mins
bake for 25 mins at 200 degrees

I didn't have 4 loaf tins to start with so I reduced the recipe, it worked fine. But I now find it makes sense to make 4 loaves at once to save time/heating the oven.

I use half wholemeal strong flour and half ordinary (value) self raising flour and it's the best home made bread I've ever had! It really is such a quick and cheap recipe that it's worth having a go. It's so simple because there's no kneading, which also means less mess I find!

please check the proper recipe in case I've remembered it wrong (it has been known)

Maxjessdru

if you wrap the bread up in a clean tea towel as soon as it comes out of the oven and keep it wrapped until the bread is cool, that will make the crust softer.

lindadykes

1.5 kg Bag of Flour - I use the organic strong bread flour, but it should work with any plain flour.
1 Sachet easy blend yeast
2 tsp salt
400ml boiling water mixed with 400ml cold water

Put the flour in a large bowl, add the salt and yeast and give them a mix with your hands. Make a well in the flour and add the water all in one lot. Use a wooden spoon to gradually mix the water into the flour, until there is no visible water, then get your hands in and draw it all together till the flour is all incorporated. Tip the whole lot out onto a clean worktop - there should be no need to flour the surface or anything like that - begin Kneading. You will have to knead for about 5 - 10 minutes, but you should "feel" a change in the dough. It will go from feeling like a lump of pastry to a nice elastic feel, that doesn't feel at all sticky any longer. Shape into a rounded shape and put back into the bowl.

Now to get it to rise! - put a smidgen of oil on the palm of one hand and rub your hands together to coat them with oil - lightly rub them over the surface of the dough, this will prevent it sticking or drying out. Now take a clean new black bin bag, give it a good shake out, then put the bowl containing the dough into it and making sure it is sort of well puffed up over the dough, tuck the ends under the bowl.

Leave to rise for 2 hours - it will double in size by the end of that time regardless of the temperature of the room.

Remove from the bowl onto your worktop - knock back and knead briefly - for only about 2 minutes. Divide into three pieces. Shape each piece into a bloomer shape and use a knife to make 3 slashes in the surface of the dough. Place the loaves on baking trays and put them back in the bin bag for about 30 minutes - bake.

helzbelz_57

or can i do it without? and is it cost effective? also recipes for lovely whiite and wholemeal. i am complete novice.

Auzelia

no you can use your hands and your oven to make bread

PasturesNew

You don't need one. I have one and actually it's not worked right since I got it, so I am thinking about binning it and getting a mixer with a dough hook. But you don't even need that (I have weak wrists so couldn't do any kneading).

Here's a sample/easy recipe on making bread: http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=17260721&postcount=27

There'll be loads of posts here soon for you with other/better/more recipes and ideas.

Penelope_Penguin

I'll add this to the handmade bread thread so that you can see lots of recipes

Penny. x

helzbelz_57

brilliant thread, i have no excuse now.