Thursday, 2 November 2023

B is for Bread

 The Focaccia bread I made for Bacton Fayre in August didn't win a prize - even though I pinched a sprig of rosemary from the churchyard (or maybe that's why 😈) to make sure I kept to the schedule. 
 I didn't expect to be placed as I didn't have the right size baking tray for it so it didn't have nice straight edges. Judges have to be very strict!

It's a really good recipe that I've now made twice more - I didn't pinch any rosemary for this weeks make!  It's cut into pieces before freezing and makes 12 chunks which are delicious.


This is the recipe I used which turns out well. I do the mixing in the Kenwood with a dough hook.. 

500g Strong Bread Flour
30mls Rapeseed Oil
10g Salt
10g Yeast
Approx 325ml Tepid Water
Sea salt, olive oil and rosemary to finish

Mix salt, yeast and flour
Mix oil and water and add to flour and mix really well
When smooth knead for 10 mins.
Don't use flour when kneading but a little oil on hands instead.
Place on a well oiled  11 inch by 7 inch brownie tin, flatten to a rectangle, cover with cling film and rest for 30 minutes.
Uncover, fold into thirds. Turn and fold into thirds again. Turn over and flatten to rectangle again.
Cover and rest for another 30 mins.
Push dough to  11 x 7 inches.
Rest for 30 mins, then dimple top with thumb, sprinkle with salt, olive oil and chopped rosemary.
180℃ or 200℃ for 20 - 25 mins 

Two of the other breads I make are done in my bread machine. A normal white loaf which makes lovely toast and a spicy fruit  loaf that makes a yummy soft textured very tasty loaf.


The recipe book that came with the bread maker has many, many more ideas for flavoured breads that I've never tried. Although I do now use it for making pizza dough.

A recipe I've used since way before owning a bread machine, makes tomato and herb rolls which are lovely to eat with any Bolognese or tomato meals. That recipe is on the Recipe Page.

Something I don't make anymore are naan bread. They used to work well when I had an LPG grill but not so good with electric. So I buy a pack of mini naans from Asda and separate them before freezing. I only need a small naan with my home made curries.

I like bread!

Back Tomorrow
Sue


41 comments:

  1. Your bread looks delicious! I like bread as well. A little too much ;)

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  2. If it tastes good I wouldn't worry too much about the straight edges. In fact I eat so much bread that I no longer have any straight edges myself.

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    1. Ha! My straight edges went a long time ago!
      It's only cookery judges who fuss about the right size tins

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  3. I agree with John's brilliant comment!

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  4. Looks great - I will try the recipe

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  5. I love bread, used to make it, but until the Aga goes on here the kitchen was too cold for rising.

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    1. I love my bread machine - easy peasy and a good loaf made

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  6. I love bread, but suffer if I eat too much, refined white flour is the killer for me.

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    1. 2 pieces of bread a day is my limit any more I find is too much

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  7. I love bread but it is forbidden for T2diabetic so I have to go without. Enjoy yours. Sarah Browne.

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  8. Freshly made bread still warm with butter is an all time favorite. I need to look at bread machines, I only hear good things about them. What brand machine do you recommend?

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    1. Mine is a small Panasonic - seems to work very well

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  9. I am looking forward to receiving an invitation to afternoon tea.

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  10. I love bread of all kinds, and this foccaccia looks great. I must try it.

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  11. It may not have won a prize but it looks fabulous. Foccacia is one of my favorite breads.

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    1. It's one of my favourites now although rarely eaten before I learned how to make it

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  12. Those are lovely breads. Instead of naans I sometimes make a very simple flatbread recipe, which is then flash fried in a frying pan greased with butter - they have to be eaten very fresh but are great with a curry. Like you I use the bread machine for pizza dough - great result.
    Alison in Wales x

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    1. I like to have the mini naans in the freezer - easy to heat just one in the microwave.

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  13. I admit that I had to wander off to read up on 'strong' bread flour. I have promised to make cinnamon rolls for Tim this afternoon. Focaccia bread would be a nice thing to try. John, I think your comment has won the internet today!

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    1. Strong bread flour is often made from a different sort of wheat and makes better bread

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  14. It all looks delicious and very moreish.

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    1. Cutting it into pieces and freezing them is the only way to save me eating too much

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  15. The focaccia looks fabulous! Catriona

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  16. I've been cooking up some variations of Chelsea Buns...and boy my waistline knows! x

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    1. Something I've never made even though Col loved them

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  17. 200c for how long? And assume not fan

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    1. Whoops, you are the only person who noticed I didn't finish writing the recipe before publishing! I'll edit and up date it straight away

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  18. I use my bread machine to make our whole wheat loaves. I really need to look at the recipe book and try some new ones.

    God bless.

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  19. I miss making bread. By yourself, I imagine a loaf of each would last you the year, from the freezer.

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  20. Oh yum. I need to make some bread again. We just never eat all of it and, for some reason, my freezer over here doesn't do well with bread. Sigh.

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  21. They look delicious! I may try the foccaccia if I can convert to US terms. I do miss my breadmaker. Damp and condensation are problems here and it suddenly got very moldy, had to discard.

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  22. This sounds good I will give it a try
    Cathy

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