Large Loaves for daily bread

I was driving along a country road on Friday and the sign Estate Sale called me.  Among the offerings  was a library of books on Oriental Art for sale but I did not succumb to those.  For some reason, there was a Bread Machine that said ‘ take me!’Last year I bid on a bread machine on Ebay , but lost to a higher bidder.  I was not sure  how often I would use such a  machine, so I did not want to spend  big bucks on a new model and  thought I’d try a test run on a used machine.  Now was another chance, but the asking price of $60.00 seemed stiff.  I passed it up.  Using the “new economy” frame of mind, I wanted it, but didn’t have to have it..  But some things, like your daily bread, are triggers to desires.  I went back the next day, and made an offer and got it for $35.00.  Lucky for me, no one else HAD to have it!

There is an art to making bread.  Kneading is a soulful process. The patience required for the rising of the bread  is rewarded.  The bread machine takes a lot of that out of the process, I admit.  But look at the flip side – ease!  First place liquid ingredients in, then add the flour.

Are you with me so far?  Quite easy.  I used a simple recipe of water, flour, sugar, salt, olive oil

and of course, yeast.

I closed the lid, pushed a button and pretty much walked away for a few hours!!  The little window on the top of the machine satisfied the urge to see what was going on.  I tended to the dahlias, picked the tomatoes which are beginning to wane.

Soon, (3 plus hours) there was a BEEP and the bread was baked.  Admittedly, the shape was odd (compared to store brought whole grain).

So far, I am a fan of this $35.00 machine!  I will now try some whole grain flours and test new recipes!  The husband was quite pleased with the large French toast made from the LARGE loaf .

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