Now, granted, I’ve been using a bread machine most of the time, but you have to understand that, as silly as it sounds, it was a pretty big step for me to realize that I didn’t have to buy a box mix to use the bread maker. It was a hand-me-down from a co-worker because he never used it, and I simply assumed there was something magical about the box mixes that worked with the magical bread maker. However, I eventually stumbled across the fact that I could use something as simple as what CodeOptimist does here, and I’ve haven’t gone back yet. Most of the time, I use this King Arthur recipe minus the dry milk, and it turns out great every time. I love how simple it is, and I love that I can throw in whatever spices, seeds, nuts, etc. I want. I also love that I don’t waste as much bread. If I buy a loaf of non-preservative filled sliced bread from the store, it always goes stale or gets moldy before I finish it. The smaller bread loafs I make suit my single gal lifestyle much better. :-)
In any event, I’ve been meaning to pick up some ascorbic acid to try making French bread. After that, I might eventually try keeping a sourdough starter alive, but that’s another big step for me.
The No-Knead recipe looks really interesting to try. It makes me a little sad though. Even when I use the bread maker, I still dote on my little dough ball. I like showering it with love during the kneading cycles, adding a little more flour or a little more water or just watching it get exercised. When I make bread by hand or with a mixer for help, there’s some amount of goodness in the kneading. However, since I have yet to make a loaf that looks nearly as pretty as that—it’s definitely worth a shot.
