When I went to make bread yesterday, I discovered that I was, tragically, out of milk. A quick ride to the local store fixed that, but left me too drained to make actual bread. However, I remembered that I did, in fact, have a bread machine! Now, bread machines are not as simple and easy to use as one would first think. To begin with, the bread machine just requires tossing the materials into it and pushing a few buttons.
Now, the crumb of the bread is as good if not BETTER then the bread I make by hand. However, the crust is much worst. It is not only thicker, tougher, and less tasteful, but if it's left in the cradle of the bread machine for more then a minute or three, it gets soggy.
Now, with handmade bread the trick is to make sure you don't make the dough to dense. I am getting it just about right, but still have a bit of work to do on it. With that said; I'm finally happy with the process of making bread itself. Starting on Monday, August 9th, I will be making more then just this same basic recipe. Now, this loaf was just a bit undercooked. Not to the point of being un-eatable, or even tasting bad. But enough that it was noticeable if I looked for it.
I'm still experimenting with scoring the top, as well as dusting the top with flour. I think I have
finally found a pattern I'm happy with, and the dusting of bread is both aesthetically pleasing and doesn't hurt the taste.
Topped with a bit of the home-made jam from my last post, it is VERY good bread. Probably my favorite loaf yet. Tomorrow will be one more loaf of this recipe, then starting Monday I'll make my first weekly attempt at a loaf of Challah. See you then!
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