I have a family of 6 and we can go through the better part of a loaf of bread in one meal. About a year ago I was thinking about how much money I was spending a week on bread. Should I buy cheaper bread? What ingredients are in my "healthy" bread anyway? I found that most of my "go to" breads had high fructose corn syrup and others were very expensive (especially at 2-3 loaves a week). I suddenly had the bright idea, "Why not try making my own bread?" I had a great bread machine sitting in the closet from my wedding I figured it was time to break it out and see what I could do.
I found making bread to be very easy once I got the hang of it. My bread machine only requires that I put the ingredients in the machine in a certain order, make some selections as to the type of bread, and press start. Within 4 hours I have a hot and delicious loaf of healthy bread.
I also found the bread to be very healthy. I could choose the quality of the ingredients so if I wanted to use whole wheat flour and honey and leave out high fructose corn syrup, sugar, and other ingredients I can't spell, I can. Even if my kids preferred a white bread I still have the option of using an organic, unbromated white flour and even sneak in a half cup of whole wheat flour if I want. I like having better control over the food my family eats.
Lastly, I found my bread to be cheap, not in quality but in price. High quality bread can be made for around $.50 a loaf. You are only limited by the deals you can come up with. After you find a recipe your family likes you can stock up on the ingredients you need by buying in bulk at a better price. Recipes do vary so I wouldn't stock up on dry milk until you taste test the recipe because you might find a recipe you like better that doesn't have it. One of the most expensive and universal ingredients is yeast. I have found it at the best price at Costco (by A LOT). If you don't have a membership for that then at least buy it by the jar in the dairy section. The packets of 3 in a strip are very expensive.
Invest in a good bread machine. All the work is done by a good bread machine. It takes me about 5 minutes to put all my ingredients in and then I don't have to think about it until its done. No need to worry about rising, kneading, and baking. I have a breadman bread maker but my exact model is no loner being made (I did get it over 10 years ago). I think the best one on the market now is West Bend 41300 Hi-Rise Electronic Dual-Blade Breadmaker
So what kind of bread do I make? My family prefers a light honey whole wheat bread. Here is how I make it.
Layer the following ingredients into the bread machine:
1 1/4 cups warm water
1 TBS canola oil
2 TBS honey
3/4 cup whole wheat flour (I prefer King Arthur)
1 3/4 cups bread flour
1/4 cup gluten
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp dry yeast
Wet ingredients first
Dry ingredients in a flat layer
After 4 hours and ready to come out of the bread machine
Inside it's light and delicious
I set my machine for a 1 1/2 lb loaf, whole wheat bread cycle, and light crust. The cycle, including baking, takes 4 hours.
Tips and troubleshooting:
Actually measure the water temperature with a thermometer and write it down the first couple times you make bread. Of course the temperature has to be between 100 and 115 degrees but you must also consider the temperature of the bread machine and how long it takes you to get all the ingredients in the pan. Uninterrupted I can do it in 5 minutes but sometimes it takes 20 minutes. Writing down how your bread rises and the temperature of the water will help you determine the best temperature for you to use.
If your bread doesn't rise well, don't worry. You might not want to use it for sandwiches but it may be ok for French toast or homemade croutons. To make croutons just cut the bread in cubes. Toss with some olive oil and seasonings of your choice. I prefer salt, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and some parmesan cheese. (You can taste it and adjust the seasoning before it goes in the oven) Spread in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake at 350 for about 15 minutes or until the bread is toasted and crunchy.
If you are using a new bread machine you may want to run a cycle to burn off the coating. Read the manufactures instructions. Don't plan to eat the first loaf!
Use your bread machine for other things besides sandwiches. You can usually use a feature that will make dough and not bake it. That is perfect for making your own pizza dough or cinnamon rolls. Read through the manual and try out all the great recipes. Some machines even have a recipe for jam!
Bread is a major staple in many diets and buying healthy bread can cost a lot of money. Why not make your own bread? I'm so glad I tried it!
