Novice bread baker

[UntamedShrew]

I've made 4 loaves now in my Magimix and they have all been very popular with the constantly eating DC and DH, and I had no idea it was so easy! However I have a few questions if any more experienced bakers could help me out please.

Firstly I have just baked the recipes in the book that came with my magimix. They all use fresh yeast, can I use dried? I like the idea of using fresh but the expiry dates are all so soon I would have to bake for Britain to use a whole packet.

My main question is about timings. DO I have to stick to the 2 hours rest, 1 hour prove before I bake? How rigid is that? Just that it sort of means you have to be home all day, I think - so I'm interested to hear how you make that one work outside the weekend.

Finally any recipes that you think I should tackle next? Like I say I am very much a novice but I am greedily enjoying the results! Thank you.

We make bread last thing at night and leave it to prove over night then knock it back heat the oven and stick it in. Try yoghurt in the dough. Try spelt too. Playing with recipe s is ace fun.

My husband made soda bread today with the Gordon Ramsey receipt. Definitely recommend it!

river cottage bread is an excellent book. I borrowed it from the library, and have just got my own copy. I think if you google it, the basic bread recipe comes up - I think there was a guardian guide which can be found online.

For dried yeast you need double the quantity of fresh

The Doves website is a good source of information. www.dovesfarm.co.uk/doves

Yes you can use dried yeast but there are two basic types. One where you have to mix it first with sugar and water and wait until it gets frothy; the other where you just bung it in the mix.

You don't have to stick to the timings - in the winter you can do a slow rise overnight. In the summer the rise can be as quick as half an hour if it's warm.

I'm not familiar with a Magimix so I don't what's in their recipe book. Buy a book like The River Cottage Bread Handbook by Hugh F-W. Try experimenting with different types of flour like spelt, rye, wholemeal, and adding seeds such as linseed, sunflower, sesame, or flaked spelt, oats, grains etc.

You can also make rolls, buns, sweet bread and cakes too.

Thank you all for the advice and reading recommendations. I like the idea of trying out different methods, am sure there is one that works around the DC's timetables etc - and I'm pretty sure they'll eat it even if it goes wrong!
Thanks.