Home made Bread...

[munz]

Finally I've managed to make a semi decent loaf - ok ok it was an add water packet but I have one in now so will see if it turns out good from the machine - thanks for all ur tips btw.

but quick Q, it's gonna sound daft but how do u cut the bread without making it like door stops/pushing it into the chopping board? do u have any gismo's for it? i'd like nicely cut bread now! lol, should I just buy some? althou I do love home made bread!

Argos have a bread cutting machine for around £25.I needed this because i always cock up cutting the bread and we ended up with 3 slices per loaf

I always just make dough in my bread machine, and then make rolls... [this is because I can't cut it properly]... so I will be watching this thread to get tips and gizmo's...

I use a Kenwood slicer thingy - it has a rotating metal blade and you can set the thickness... is worth making sure that the bread has completely cooled though (no slicing while it's still warm, as tempting as it is!)

george - ooh that's where I go wrong to start with then! lol. I love warm bread.

will have to dig out me argos book then and have a look thru. (a loaf currently lasts 2 days if I'm lucky after i've cut it! lol)

we've not go the electric knife no - will have a loko to see what's cheaper - I guess with a knife we could cut meat thinly as well.

This is what we've got Kenwood - isn't too cheap unfortunately, but it does do the job beautifully...

I think if you want it warm, you should only be allowed to tear into it with your bare hands ...

Oh and another tip (don't know if you've had this elsewhere). Don't stress about all the fussy "must have everything in the store cupboard" loaves the book gives you.

1 tsp fast action dried yeast (marked suitable for breadmakers)
500g strong white flour
1 1/4 tsp salt
12 fl oz water

That's ALL you need - really. Okay, it won't look pretty, but it's supposed to be home made bread after all! I like it best on bake rapid function with a darker crust as you get a denser, easier to slice loaf.

Fresh Bread In The Morning is a great book that gives you loads of basic recipes that work without the unnecessary gubbins... her White with Rye is gorgeous too. Saves money and is LOADS tastier, imo.

lol, thanks george - just been looking on ebay, but MIL recons her electric knife was good and it gave them thin slices for sarnies. just took my first loaf in about 2.5 years out of the machine and it smells wonderful I must say.

quick Q, do u guys all wait for it to go cool in the pan b4 turning it out or turn it out straight away?

I turn it out straight away onto a cooling rack - not totally sure if that's the "correct" thing to do.

think it is otherwise it will sweat in the tin

yes, take it out straight away otherwise it will get all moist.
Regarding your original Q, I always wait until the bread has cooled down completely before slicing it. Never had a problem. I use a simple bread knife.

Isn't homemade bread lovely! I just bought a breadmaker at the weekend and used it today. I just couldn't believe the difference between what I made with very little effort, and the crap you buy in the bags from the supermarket! I won't be going back. Little one loved it for her beans on toast at lunchtime too. Even the dog was prowling the kitchen thanks to the smells coming from the machine, so he had a slice, lovely stuff!

lakeland do a great bread cutting guide

Agree with Fredly - you can use a simple bread cutting knife, which is serated.

ok have now made 3 loaves and all were top notch - i've worked out althou we have a 2lb machine the 2lb loaf is actually quite crappy and that's where I was going wrong, the 1.5 lb loaf is lovely has been perfect every time.

so far we've been using a normal knife and waiting till the day after till cutting it, but now i'm finding we're not eating it quick enough as I can cut thinner slices so in the bread bin it's going hard after 3 days - do u guys wrap yours? I wasn't keen on wrapping mine up.