Making bread without a bread maker?

[Freya]

Is it doable? How would I go about it?

Thanks!

[Ca Plane Pour Moi]

Very do-able and fairly easy. I used to do it at Uni.

Find a bread recipe. Jamie Oliver has some fun ones, and most "big" cookbooks have at least one.

You'll need yeast and bread flour, and a few hours. You need to have a lot of fun kneading the dough then have somewhere clean and warm to put it to rise for a few hours, before beating it and leaving it a second time.

The more you let the bread rise the second time, the thicker the crust will be.

[QueenMab]

OF COURSE it's doable my dear... bread has been around a lot longer than breadmakers lol... even I have done it, and really, with my cooking "skills", that is saying something.

Google 'bread without a breadmaker' & you'll get a-plenty of receipes - the main thing to remember is that it's best to use a baker's flour - it has a higher protein content & the bread will work better, whatever you are making. I've been meaning to make some more bread for ages now... you might (and I do mean *might*) have just inspired me...!

PS The other thing to remember is to ensure your yeast is still in-date.... or it might just be me that goes to make it 2 years after buying a packet...

[~Kim~]

Yep, I do it often. It's not that hard just need to set aside the right timeframes.

[~me~]

Any decent cook book will have a 'real' recipe. My mum always made home made bread when we had spag bol..love it! I still remember her rising it in our laundry as that was the warmest part of the house.
It's very nice if you can use real yeast (not the dried stuff). You can get real yeast from most good deli's.
My recipe is one from cookery the australian way (the one they used in home echo in high school ) and as someone else mentioned, Jamie Oliver has some great receipes.

Also check out the cook and the chef website as Maggie Beer made it at some stage. Also check the Taste website, they have one using dried yeast.

[Oorki Galoorki]

best tip for a warm spot is in the car in the drive way i always raise my bread there

[Alan]

Here is my recipe
200g wholemeal flour
400g white flour
(use good bakers flour for both of the above)
400mls of water (may need a little more depending upon the flour)
1 tblsp sugar
1 tsp salt
2 tsp dry yeast
1 tblsp oil

Sift flour
Add yeast, sugar, salt, oil and water
Kneed well for about 10 minutes.
Put in a warm place to rise. (should double in size and will take about 1 hour)
Kneed again for about 5 minutes.
Leave to rise again (should double in size)
Place in oven at 200c for about 45 minutes. You will know when it is done as it will sound hollow when tapped.

[Freya]

Any particular oil Alan?

Oorki - that is a great idea to rise it in the car in the driveway lol

[Alan]

Any vegie oil. Olive oil is nice if you like the taste.