Dust off your bread machine
There are a lot of gadgets on the market these days, from appliances that promise perfect hard-cooked eggs to countertop grills that drain off fat. But few things are as versatile as a bread machine. With this appliance, you can make everything from sandwich bread to pizza crusts, banana bread, and hot dog buns. You’ll end up with bread products that are better tasting and healthier than store-bought varieties, at a fraction of the cost.
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This recipe works well with either seven-grain or nine-grain cereal, which contain tasty ingredients such as wheat, rye, oats, barley, and flaxseed. It may be labeled as a “hot cereal,” but use it dry and unprepared in this recipe.
Seven-Grain Bread
1-1/3 cups water (70 to 80 degrees)
2-1/2 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1-1/3 cups seven-grain cereal
2-2/3 cups bread flour
1-1/2 teaspoons yeast
In bread machine pan, place all ingredients in order recommended by the manufacturer. Select basic bread setting. Choose crust color and loaf size if available. Bake according to bread machine directions. Check dough after 5 minutes of mixing; add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water or flour if needed. Makes 1 1.5-pound loaf.
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Whole Wheat Oatmeal Bread
1-1/4 cups water (70 to 80 degrees)
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
1-1/4 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons nonfat dry milk powder
1-3/4 cups bread flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/3 cup quick-cooking oats
1-1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
In bread machine pan, place all ingredients in order recommended by the manufacturer. Select basic bread setting. Choose crust color and loaf size if available. Bake according to bread machine directions. Check dough after 5 minutes of mixing; add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water or flour if needed. Makes 1 1.5-pound loaf.
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Pantry Pointers
If you use your bread machine often, buying yeast in bulk can save money. Good places to buy yeast include health food stores and membership club stores where yeast can cost as little as $2 or $3 per pound. Store what you need in the refrigerator and keep the extra in the freezer.
If your recipe calls for a 1/4-ounce package of yeast, substitute 2-1/4 teaspoons of bulk yeast. Allow the yeast to come up to room temperature before using.
If your bread doesn’t rise properly, it may be a sign that your yeast isn’t fresh.
The Practical Pantry ©2006 Tammy P. Olson
http://www.practicalpantry.com
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