Holy Breadmaker!

Bread is a workout and a half to make by hand and even for those with bread makers who try and follow a recipe keep producing bricks at the end of all the effort.
Experimenting is the only thing to do about it and thanks to my ma's Panasonic and my Breville we have had to do some experimenting to find the right recipe for the right machine. However when the aroma of fresh bread wafts through the house and warm slices are served with homemade jam for brekkie the past bricks quickly become a blurry memory and a feeling of having all been worth the efforts becomes cherished.

Following are recipes for Breville and Panasonic bread makers for keen bakers and those who want to leave the brickwork to men.

Surebake Yeast - You must use this yeast for bread making. All Purpose Active Yeast will not work and is only suitable for pizza dough.

Panasonic
2 tsp Surebake Yeast
350 g White flour
100 g Wholemeal flour
1 tsp Gluten
1 tsp Butter
Pinch of salt
350ml Water

Panasonic programming
Select French
Push Start

Use the Timer to set bread making for morning or late afternoon breads.
If you are adding extras e.g. herbs or raisins (see variations below) use the dispenser lid.

Breville
2 tsp Surebake Yeast
350 g White flour
100 g Wholemeal flour
1 tsp Butter
Pinch of salt
350 ml Water

Breville programming
Select French
Select Medium Crust
Push Start

Method for both bread makers

First add the yeast then add the rest of the dry ingredients; flour, gluten (if applicable), salt. Then add a knob of butter and the water. Try and aim the ingredients as close to the kneading blade as possible. This way assures that all ingredients are combined well.

For Breville users, once you hear the kneading blade starting to mix ingredients, open the lid after a few minutes, check the mix, take a spatula and scoop out the flour that gets stuck into the corners and manually mix it back under the mix with the blade running. This way you are helping mix together all the ingredients and will save the bread from floury edges.

Generally I reckon it depends on the sequence in which the ingredients are added to determine the best outcome.

Variations

For savoury dinner bread add fresh herbs e.g. chopped rosemary or basil for example.

For sweet breakfast/morning tea bread add nuts or/and raisins



Tips!

The way bread turns out and looks, varies from bread maker to bread maker nonetheless tasting equally as good:)

Buy bread makers on Trade Me or advertised in your local rag for as little as $40. That's where I got my Breville. Before you hand over the cash ask to try it out or ask the seller to show you bread they made before you come/check out the bread maker at their home.

If you are trying to impress someone or having pp around bake some bread before hand give the house a nice welcoming/ homely feeling.

Bread making is gt for making ahead of time and freezing.




Best of luck!