peter wrote:
> A quicks search turns up a model called west bend just for dinner
> breadmaker. It makes 3/4 lb loaf, and does it in 45 minutes. Quick
> turnaround is good for experimenter, but I wonder if 45 minutes is taking
> too much short-cuts. I also would like a programmable cycle so that there's
> more things to experiment with.
>
> Is 3/4 lb loaf the smallest loaf that bread machine can make?
>
I'm surprised that there are machines that make loaves that small. The
smallest I'd seen were 1 lb models.

Actually, not only is 45 minutes too fast, so is an hour. I wouldn't
suggest any machine, or cycle, that was less than 2 1/2 hours, and
longer is better. Remember, you don't have to be there to watch it.
With most machines you can load the ingredients at night and set it up
so you'll have fresh bread in the morning. Or load it in the morning
and you'll have bread when you get home.

As to sizes, you might consider letting your bread machine do the
kneading and such, then take out the dough, put it into several smaller
loaf pans and bake a number of small loaves. Or, you could make rolls.
Then, you can freeze the extras for later.

In general, the longer it takes to make bread, the better it will taste
and the longer it will last, which is another reason to not use the
"express" settings on bread machines. In France people tend to buy a
large loaf to feed their family for a week. The loaf is called a Miche,
and people talk about which day after baking the bread is at it's best.
Many people prefer that the bread be a few days old. We Americans have
an obsession with "fresh bread" that really doesn't have much of a
culinary basis. Many breads are better after they've had a chance to
breathe. So what if you can't finish the loaf in one sitting? It'll
last for a number of days, and chances are it will improve for several
of them. Have toast for breakfast. Make sandwiches to take to work.
Use bread crumbs to thicken a soup. Bread.... it's not just for one meal!

Mike



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Mike Avery
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Gunnison, CO 81230
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A Randomly Selected Bread Saying Of The Day:
Everyone is kneaded out of the same dough;
but not baked in the same oven.
- Yiddish proverb