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Re: crusty bread in abm

"Lorraine Hartley" <spuse@comcast.net>
Sun, 2 Dec 2007 12:53:07 -0500
v107.n034.4
To Jack Allen -

It's not possible to make CRUSTY anything in a bread machine.  The 
crust on bread is formed by a combination of high temperature and an 
infusion of steam at the beginning of the bake.  To do this, use your 
bread machine (if you must) to knead the dough and then bake the loaf 
in an oven, preferably on a pre-heated baking stone (which will 
absorb the heat) and under which a heavy (as in cast iron) pan has 
been placed.  When you place the dough onto the baking stone, pour 
boiling water (wear a LONG oven mitt) into the heavy pan and quickly 
close the oven door.  Better yet, place clean rocks inside the heavy 
pan while the oven is preheating.

Good luck!