handmade bread

Dustykitten

Mission this week - to make a loaf of bread.

I have an AGA
I have a bread tin
I have a tin of dried yeast
I have bread flour

Do I start with the OP's recipe at the front of this thread? Any tips on where I put the loaf to rise/ by the AGA/ on top of the AGA?

Thanks bread people. Oh I have a magimix - does that help?

The_Mighty_Gusset

SammyD wrote: »

Aaah, all is revealed - I have never seen or used fresh yeast. Originally from NZ, and I am sure we didn't have it there. Will keep a look out.

Go to your local bakery, or the bakery counter at your local supermarket and ask politely if you can have some yeast.
It seems to be some sort of tradition that bakers give away a sample of their yeast to anyone who asks for it.

The_Mighty_Gusset

elf06 wrote: »

ok so I really want to try making my own bread but have no idea what tin to do it in ?

I don't use a tin at all.
I make 'cottage' style loaves.

milliemonster

p00 wrote: »

I bought some silicone loaf 'tins'. Anyone made their loaves in these please.

xxp00

Yes i have and they are fine, just make sure you put them on a baking tray when you put them in the oven, also they do tend to expand a little, but great all the same.

I have not yet had the nerve to ask for some fresh yeast at the bakery counter in the supermarket, can anyone tell me which one (Tesco Asda etc) are the most 'friendly' at giving out yeast?

The_Mighty_Gusset

dandy-candy wrote: »

Quick question! I have a bag of Waitrose Canadian white strong flour lurking at the back of my cupboard but I have just noticed it went out of date in Nov 2009 - do you think it will be ok to use still?

Probably, but you might have to sieve the little bugs out of it !
Seriously - you might find little flour weevils crawling around in it.
You'll spot them easily enough - there will be hundreds of the little beggars.
You can either sieve them out, or leave them in - to provide a little extra protein - they are harmless and cooking kills them !

The_Mighty_Gusset

milliemonster wrote: »

I have not yet had the nerve to ask for some fresh yeast at the bakery counter in the supermarket, can anyone tell me which one (Tesco Asda etc) are the most 'friendly' at giving out yeast?

I've never been refused anywhere - just smile and ask nicely.
And if you want advice on how to look after it - again - just ask.

You'll usually get enough so that you can use half and keep half.
The half that you keep you're supposed to grow to double the size, so that when the time comes to use it you'll again use half and keep half.

zippychick

The_Mighty_Gusset wrote: »

Probably, but you might have to sieve the little bugs out of it !
Seriously - you might find little flour weevils crawling around in it.
You'll spot them easily enough - there will be hundreds of the little beggars.
You can either sieve them out, or leave them in - to provide a little extra protein - they are harmless and cooking kills them !

Just because it's out of date, doesn't mean it will have weevils They could happen at any time....

The_Mighty_Gusset

zippychick wrote: »

Just because it's out of date, doesn't mean it will have weevils They could happen at any time....

Hence my use of the word 'might' !

andygb

zippychick wrote: »

Just because it's out of date, doesn't mean it will have weevils They could happen at any time....

Ah yes, that old chestnut, whether to leave them in or sieve them out, I wonder which is the lesser of the two weevils?;)

[Deleted User]

andygb wrote: »

Ah yes, that old chestnut, whether to leave them in or sieve them out, I wonder which is the lesser of the two weevils?;)

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: