Well I decided I wanted to make my own whole wheat bread so I bougtht
the higly recommended Laurel's Kitchen Bread Book. I followed the
directions exactly and got to the part about kneading. It said 10
minutes or 300 strokes would be sufficient. On pages 44 and 45 it gives
an illustration of what the dough should look like when you stretch it.
Page 44 shows what not ready dough looks like and page 45 shows what
the dough should look like when its done. Well mine did not look
anything like the done picture (paper thin sheet smooth and bright) so
I kept kneading and after 1/2 hour it still does not look done. I think
I know how to knead, I've done it before to make pizza dough. Why can't
I get the dough to look anything like the description in the book? The
flour is King Arthur and I just bought a brand new package.

Thanks - Joel

Joel wrote:
> Well I decided I wanted to make my own whole wheat bread so I bougtht
> the higly recommended Laurel's Kitchen Bread Book. I followed the
> directions exactly and got to the part about kneading. It said 10
> minutes or 300 strokes would be sufficient. On pages 44 and 45 it gives
> an illustration of what the dough should look like when you stretch it.
> Page 44 shows what not ready dough looks like and page 45 shows what
> the dough should look like when its done. Well mine did not look
> anything like the done picture (paper thin sheet smooth and bright) so
> I kept kneading and after 1/2 hour it still does not look done. I think
> I know how to knead, I've done it before to make pizza dough. Why can't
> I get the dough to look anything like the description in the book? The
> flour is King Arthur and I just bought a brand new package.


I can't answer your question specifically. I can say that I've made
bread according to Laurel, and it has come out fine. I suggest letting
your bread rise and baking according to her instructions without
worrying about matching the picture. The neat-o thing about home made
bread is that it tends to taste wonderful straight out of the oven no
matter what.


--Lia