Another Bread Machine Question

[Stinky The Clown]

I'm getting cold feet about this whole bread machine thing. I currently make breads that look more like this:



than this:



Now, to be sure, my breads don't look quite as nice as that top picture, but you get the idea. Those are more like "artisan" or "rustic" breads. But as you know, that's a ton of work and mess, so I don't do it very much.

My impression of what comes from a bread machine is all the same shape, close to what appears in the second picture.

While all the breadmakers seem to show pictures in the manuals or literature, or on their web sites, that look more like the first picture, is that kind of bread possible from a bread machine? You know .... crusty but not tough ..... like good French or Italian bread or good San Francisco sour dough ...... ?

Note, this is as much about looks as it is about taste.

[NMDemDist2]

1. ROFL H2S one does not negate the other

you can still make your "rustic" loaves when the spirit strikes.

but when you just want some nice soup and bread for a winter dinner, you can have hot bread without a major time (or cleaning} commitment

that's why I said in my first response on your other thread you would probably use the dough option a lot. It would do the work while you concentrate on other aspects of the meal, but you can still do the final touches yourself

it won't be the end all be all for your bread making, but it will be a nice convenience when you just want warm and nummy on a weeknight

edit to add, what's a lousy $100 for your kitchen? give one a try. They are a great shortcut. You use appliances all the time to make your life easier, this is just another one :evilgrin:

on 2nd edit, no, they won't make a crusty SF style loaf, but they do make a consistant product batch after batch

[Stepup2]

2. I bake both kinds

But in all honesty, I use the bread maker way more than I ever "hand" made bread in the past; it is so easy to use and requires little time or planning.

You can always use the machine to work the dough, and shape and bake it in the oven, but I've yet to get exact same results this way.

Maybe you will have more success with this method. You sound like you have way more baking skills/experience than I do.

[Mandate My Ass]

3. LOL - I have occasionally flirted with getting a bread machine

but I inevitably find something unsatisfactory with it.

Fact is - I love to knead dough. It really satisfies something in me to get my hands in that goopy mess and turn it into a fragant satiny mound and then a misshapen loaf. I keep telling myself it would be nice to pour some ingredients into a machine in the morning and come home to a fragrant house and a warm, ready-to-eat loaf but I just haven't been able to make the leap.

Also, I almost always proof my dough in the fridge overnight so I can come home and after a short second rise, have the nice hot bread anyway.

[Shakespeare]

4. I was just about to post something similar....

Making bread is one of the most sensory-intense activities any cook can engage in, and I would so miss that if I had a bread machine. The smell of the yeast, the sound and sight of sifting the flour, the feel of the dough in your hands, especially at that "magic" moment when the gluten does its thing and makes the dough go all silky--it's such a pleasure.

My husband says that one of the things that made him fall in love with me was an extended description from me on why bread-making was a deeply sensual affair. :evilgrin:

[eleny]

5. Kneading is lovely unless you have arthritis

I like to knead, too. But sometimes it just hurts too much. So, my bread machine and I are best friends.

[Shakespeare]

6. eleny, my post was in no way judgmental.

My sister has severe rheumatoid arthritis (35 years old and has already had three joint replacement surgeries), so I absolutely understand your perspective. My comments were simply on why *I* prefer not to use a bread machine.

I'm glad you're still able to enjoy making bread, no matter how you do it! :hi:

[Mandate My Ass]

7. Yes, it's all good

My post as well was intended to indicate that my preference wsa to knead but I don't look down my nose on breadmakers or anyone who uses them. I still like to make mud pies too, FWIW. I'm cheap as all get out too, so there's another factor I didn't mention. I love to use the Hodgson Mills (sp?) gluten when I make bread. That "magic moment" is even better when I do.



Shakespeare, my husband nearly fell off his chair when I first told him I made my own bread. LOL. :hi:

[Stinky The Clown]

8. Glutenous maximus

[eleny]

9. Santa!!!

[Mandate My Ass]

10. A true masterpiece

I feel lucky when I can make a halfway decent looking braid. :toast:

[merci_me]

11. When can we expect to see this on e-bay?

Not that I knead;) a heads-up, since I can't afford to out bid some Vegas casino king.

Mary