fluffyknickers Posted April 4, 2009 Share Posted April 4, 2009 Got my book deliverd today - River cottage handbook BREAD. I am going to give it a go but just wondered if you experts could help me a little. I have read through the whole first bit where he talks about the vital stages etc. Proving - the last bit before it goes in the oven. I assume once Ihave shaped it I can leave it on a linen tea towel and then cover with plastic til its risen again? Adding seeds eg poppy to the top - at what stage do i do this? After the final proving just before going in oven? I have made bread lots of times before using the breadmaker which is obviously easier or have just followed a delia recipe which didnt go into such depths. Thanks Michelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 I usually leave it for its last proving on the tin I am going to put in the oven- or when you move it, you lose the air inside - not what you want. I just cover it with a tea towel as well because cling film sticks - and again you lose the air. Yes, add things to go on the top at this last stage. If you want to add something into the bread (dried tomatoes, herbs etc) add these at the mixing stage before you leave it to rise the first time. Hope this helps. My granny taught me to make bread some 50 years ago before breadmakers were thought of. I'm resisting getting one - too may gadgets in my kitchen anyway! Tricia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 OH bought this book for me for my birthday, I have been making bread for about 10 years now and have had several breadmakers. Since Christmas I have been making the dough in my Kenwood Chef then baking it in the oven and have got 2 800g loaf tins. However I came home from a week away to find an electricity bill for £490 which has got to be partly down to the oven being on high for bread making The bread I have been making this way is fab so I will continue but try to economise in some way. Hubby thinks that we should build a clay oven in the garden, we will see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffyknickers Posted April 17, 2009 Author Share Posted April 17, 2009 Ooooh thats interesting. I experiment putting some bread dough in the oven and also some in the remoska which uses less electricity. So maybe I will stick to the remoska and avoid a telling off from husband!!! Michelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunshinesupernova Posted April 17, 2009 Share Posted April 17, 2009 my bread machine was great - used it all the time. However, moved house and didn't rally have space for it. After seeing Jamie Oliver making bread on TV - I had a go by hand. Far superior in texture and so versatile. Gave away the bread maker and saved the space. Very theraputic (sp!) too. I LOVE bread, but it's my downfall. Managed to lose 3 stone last year and then also had a baby and kept it off. Now he's almost 6 months, I'm just back on the low carb diet - so no bread, rice, pasta or potatoes for me. Another 3 stone at least to go this year..... No more NOT carrot cake either ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
