In The Kitchen 
Finally able to bake bread again!

   Back in the 80s, when my dad was putting together survival rations at our property in Julian he needed to learn how to bake bread, and for some reason I would always want to help with the processes.  I loved the feel and the process of kneading the bread, watching it rise, and the smell of a fresh baked loaf!  As this was simply a means to an end for my dad, I continued with it through my late teenage years and into adulthood.  The process just relaxed me, and it was a great break from the normal routine. 

   The cost to start making bread does not need to be expensive. You just need to decide if you are going to use a stand mixer, or if you go the bread machine route.   I have done both, including my last 6 months in Gunsan due to our apartment not having an oven.  The stand mixer gives you a lot more flexibility, but you can still use the bread machines dough setting for the specialty bread recipes.

  What you will need to get started.

  A stand mixer with dough hook attachment, KitchenAid and Bosch both make very capable mixers.  I have always used the Bosch Universal Mixer and current use the Bosch Universal Mixer Plus.  You can also use a bread machine, but I do not recommend this route for the beginner.  I feel that it is important to fully understand the process to make better loaves in the bread machine.

  You will also need!

A Teflon spatula
A good set of measuring cups.  I use a 1 cup measuring cup, and a 2 cup measuring cup.
A set of measuring spoons, with at least a Tablespoon, a Teaspoon, ½ and ¼ teaspoon.
2 loaf pans (9x5in)
A large Pyrex or similar bowl to allow the dough to rise.
A kitchen towel.

  Common ingredients.

Bakers Yeast (I use Fleischmann’s, other people swear by Red Star)
White Flour ( I use All Purpose, other’s recommend ONLY using enriched bread flour).
Whole Wheat flour (If making wheat bread). 
Sugar
Salt (You can NOT leave out the salt.  This is needed to keep the yeast growth in check).
Butter (Some recipes call for vegetable or olive oil).
*Milk (Some recipes, especially bread machine recipes) only call for water.  I find milk makes for a better texture.  The reason bread machine recipes do not use milk is in the event that you are using the delayed baking feature and they do not want the milk to spoil.  In most bread machine recipes if you are baking right away, you can modify it by using half milk and half water.    For instance, if it calls for a cup and a half of water.  Use 1 and ¼ cup water and 1 and ¼ cup milk.

Bread making tips.

  Warm all your liquid ingredients.  Placing your water and milk in the microwave for about 40 seconds is adequate to warm your liquids to a temperature suitable for the yeast to do its thing.  A yeast thermometer is a good device to have (Especially when just starting out), but testing with your finger is also acceptable (As long as your hands are clean!).  You want the temperature to be between 105- and 115-degrees f. 

  If you are baking during the colder months, place a pan of hot water in the bottom of your oven.  This creates a great place for the bread to rise!

  You can do most of your kneading in the mixer!  However, much time your recipe calls for the dough to be kneaded by hand, you can go ahead and knead it in the mixer.  I would mix for a minute or 2 and check the consistency and add a little bit of flour as needed (No pun intended!), for the first 10 minutes of the kneading process, then take it out of the mixer and knead the last 5 minutes by hand.

 There are plenty of bread recipes online for you to try, though you might also want to try one of the classics.  The recipe book my dad bough and that I still use is called The Bread Book (The Complete Book On Making Bread) by Lou Seibert Pappas.  The book has gone out of print but you can still find it used on Amazon and eBay.

Click here for a recipe for Honey Wheat Sandwich Bread.

Here I am making the above recipe!

  I hope you try your hand a bread baking!  If you used this blog to get started in the wonderful hobby or are a seasoned baker and used the recipes found here, please leave a comment, or visit our forums!

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BOSCH Universal Plus Kitchen Mixer (Wire Whips, Dough Hook & NutriMill Dough Hook Extender Bundle).