Bread

I first bought a bread maker over 25 years ago and have made my own bread ever since.  I mostly use the dough cycle, then hand shape the dough into rolls, loaves, hot cross buns, pizza bases etc.

My current bread maker would be too bulky and heavy to take away with us, so I have recently bought a fairly compact bread maker to use in the caravan 

Far nicer to have home made bread than shop bought sliced bread full of additives 

I started with a bread-maker a few years ago but soon got fed up with it. It was too slow and I didn't like the shape of the loaves it produced. For me, making bread completely by hand is far quicker and the bread, IMHO much better. I make it in batches enough for four 2lb loaves. Weighing out, mixing and kneading the dough by hand takes about 20 - 25 minutes then a further 10 minutes a few hours later when I re-knead it, divide it and put it into baking tins. Baking takes another 30 minutes but, unless I have to go out this time isn't counted as I can be doing other things.

I use a 50:50 mix of strong white flour and seed and grain flour which gives a very nice textured flavour. Once cool I cut each loaf into two and then freeze it all. Each half remains fresh for two to three days once thawed.  Four loaves or 8 halves lasts two of us up to about 16 days so I don't think a maximum of 1 hour's work is too much for two weeks worth of flavoursome bread with no 'additives' and a control on the amount of salt and sugar that is used.

Better not let OH see this thread, as he works for Warburtons  CT members could put them out of business.

Will admit I don't like all their bread, the stoneground wholemeal is my favourite. 

Isn't Warburtons the best thing since sliced bread?!