Bread, I have you now
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So, I’ve had this ongoing saga with my bread machine. I’ve attempted to make several types of loaves: honey and butter bread, french bread, white bread. They’ve all been turned into croutons. I either added the ingredients in the wrong order or their consistency was terrible or they simply were devoid of taste.
It was frustrating because the house would fill with this glorious Merita bread baking scent and then I’d end up with this bland piece of sponge. Last night, I gave it another shot trying out the self-proclaimed Best Bread Machine Bread:
Perhaps it’s because I’ve become so used to processed bread that it’s my only comparison and that homemade bread, without preservatives and additives, is a different thing entirely. I mean, it looks like bread and it tastes like bread, it’s just missing a little something. But after 721 mostly great reviews, the only conclusion I can draw is that I’m doing something wrong.
But until I can figure that out, I’ll just slap on a ton of mayo and give it to my boyfriend.
Vanessa (November 26, 2008, 3:44 pm).
Are you making sure to not pack your ingredients when you measure them? And are you leveling them off with the back of a knife so they’re perfectly even with your measuring cups/spoons? Those are two beginner mistakes I can think of.
My mom used to make homemade bread all the time. I kinda miss it. I’ve been thinking of digging out the bread machine and trying it again. I’ve been frequenting a local bakery most of the time, because they make really great whole wheat breaed, but I keep on thinking I’d save money if I just got off my ass and made it myself. Besides, winter is a good time to bake. It warms up the house.
Vanessa’s last blog post..White lies about white flour
MC (November 28, 2008, 2:06 pm).
I guess practice makes perfect, I’ll try to keep those steps in mind though. I am probably guilty of packing the dry ingredients. We’ll just have to see!