Ken Fisler wrote:
Elaine asked if there's people here on this list who don't use
bread machines. Yes, there is at least one such person. Though
I've been making bread only for a few years, I've never used a
bread machine. <snip> Any other non-machine bread bakers here?
Yes ... I like to get my hands into the dough. Also, I like to bake more
than one kind of bread at a time, so I've given specific directions every
Christmas that I do not want a bread machine. I did buy a KitchenAid mixer
this year (after many years of marriage with only a hand-mixer, this was a
real jump) which I now use for the mixing and kneading. It only handles 2
loaves at a time (for the sandwich bread, I always make 4 at a time), and
even that crawls up and over the beater sometimes, but I cope.
I've tried several bread machine recipes I've found on this list and
elsewhere and baked them manually. I got a terrific saffron bread and an
apricot bread that are already family standards. I had to add a little more
flour as they were sticky. Other than that, they came out great.
I do sourdough. I've had starter going for about 20 years. I've carried it
with me through several moves to different states and even overseas. I
recently dried it with success which will make that easier the next time I move.
Lobo