Bread making experts out there

[Highlove]

I've bread a couple of times lately and really enjoying it/the results. (By hand; don't have or want a machine.)

I've ordered a few books from the library but in the meantime, what are your favourite simple recipes?

I've so far basically just made a very simple white which is 50:50 plain flour and strong white, fast-acting yeast, a little oil and water. Mix, knead, prove, knock back, prove, bake. Easy. How can I embellish this while keeping the same simple recipe?

Can I add flavourings? If so, what do you do? Can I add grated cheese or would that mess things up? And can I follow that same basic recipe but maybe substitute some of the plain bread flour for granary?

What else should I do next?

The absolute best bread book ever is James Morton''s Brilliant Bread. I never us any of my others now. Be very careful though, he will lead you astray with his curly hair and his Fairlsle jumpers and his doughnuts and his yum-yums. And his pretzels.

Oooh formerly that sounds lush.

The granary was nice. I actually did rolls in the end and they were good. Could have been a wee bit airier but I've definitely bought ones that aren't as good, and not at all bad for a first go. I just substituted some of the strong white for granary bread flour and think I could have upped the ratio of granary to white. But overall, I'm happy.

Do you ever freeze or refrigerate dough? Does it work ok?

Whenever ive made bread all I can taste is the yeast no matter how little I add.

Thanks also for all these book recommendations. My over-flowing recipe book collection is now growing. Screw the library That a River Cottage one is next. Am loving the Dan Lepard although am yet to actually do anything from it. This weekend, I hope.

Am also going to do the kids some bread sticks. DC2 is just weaning and I seem to remember they made great finger food for DC1. And this time with added smugness that they're homemade.