Why am I nervous about making.......

[happyhippy]

Bread!lol I have some time to spare this week and thought its about time I learnt how to make some bread.I have a good bread book and will make my bread by hand,but.....I still feel nervous! I think I'm better learning some skills when someone actually shows me in person!!!Not possible so I have to go it alone!I'm hoping some of you kind people might be able to offer me some tips/idea's/encouragement.I'm sure once I've mastered it,I'll never look back and its something I've wanted to do for a long time.So.......how did your first loaf go?Yummy or did it resemble a house brick? Thankyou xx

[bonniethomas06]

Ah just have a go HH. If I can do it, you certainly can.

Two things have made a massive difference to my breadmaking success:

1. (presuming you are using old fashioned not quick yeast) Give the yeast 15 minutes to do its thing in a warm place with 1tsp sugar and 200ml water (for 10g yeast) before adding to the mixture - let it produce at least an inch of froth.

2. Don't skimp on the kneading - if in doubt, add another 5 minutes. It makes all the difference.

3. Lastly, it will rise much faster (and so make a better loaf) if you put it somewhere warm when it is rising than somewhere room temp.

4. Oh, and lastly lastly, proving is very important - I used not to bother (mad!!) but leaving it for a good 1/2 hour somewhere warm to rise into its final shape makes a big difference.

Good luck!

[happyhippy]

Hi Bonnie,not sure why but my post has come up twice!(please mods merge to one post if possible?Thankyou xx)Thankyou for the tips Bonnie,I am definately going to follow those tips,I just hope to god it works out,because its quite a long process is'nt it?And if you end up with something inedible it would be a huge disappointment.You mentioned fresh yeast?Do you mind me asking where you buy yours from,as I live fairly near to you?Thankyou xx

[Mother]

Hi Happy Hippy,
Hows the bread making going?
You can get fresh yeast from the Bakery part of your local supermarket, just ask the baker and they will give you some free of charge.

[happyhippy]

Great thankyou!Cannot believe I held the silly fear of breadmaking for so long!lol I don't make my own bread all the time,due to work loads,but I do manage making it on a regular basis,usually on my days off work.I used Big Al's recipe and its a roaring success but I will venture into other recipes soon.xx

[Green Aura]

Have a look at this thread hh, if time is an issue. It makes lovely bread.

http://www.selfsufficientish.com/forum/ ... nute+bread

If you want to make white just reduce the water by about 1/4 cup.