Breads

Basic Bread

1 cups water
2 tbsp skimmed milk powder
2 tbsp sugar
1 tsp salt
2 tbsp oil
3 cups strong bread flour
1 1/4 tsp dry yeast

Here is the most basic of the machine based bread recipes. Work from here if you are trying to create your own recipe. For something more specific look further down the list.

Add ingredients to bread maker. The order of ingredients can be important. If you wish to use the timer make sure the yeast is separated from any liquid by an unbroken layer of flour. Try using a mixture of white and brown flour. White flour produces a softer loaf but brown has more flavour. Half and half works well.

Basic White Bread

1 1/2 cups water
2 1/2 tbsp skimmed milk powder
2 tbsp sugar
1 tsp salt
2 1/2 tbsp oil
3 cups strong white bread flour
1 1/4 tsp dry yeast

Add ingredients to bread maker. If you wish to use the timer make sure the yeast is separated from any liquid by an unbroken layer of flour.

Italian Herb Bread

1 cup tepid water
2 tbsp skimmed milk powder
2 tbsp sugar
1 tsp salt
2 tbsp oil
1/4 cup tomato puree
2 tsp dried mixed herbs
3 cups strong white bread flour
1 1/4 tsp dry yeast

Add ingredients to bread maker. If you wish to use the timer make sure the yeast is separated from any liquid by an unbroken layer of flour.

Cheese and Onion Bread

1 cup water
2 tbsp skimmed milk powder
2 tbsp sugar
1 tsp salt
1 1/4 cup cheddar, grated
1/2 onion, chopped
3 cups strong white bread flour
1 1/2 tsp dry yeast

Add ingredients to bread maker. If you wish to use the timer make sure the yeast is separated from any liquid by an unbroken layer of flour.

Raisin Bread

1 1/8 cups tepid water
2 1/2 tbsp skimmed milk powder
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp salt
2 1/2 tbsp oil
3/4 tsp cinnamon (or nutmeg)
5/8 cup raisins (or mixed fruit)
3 cups strong white bread flour
1 1/4 tsp dry yeast

Add ingredients to bread maker. If you wish to use the timer make sure the yeast is separated from any liquid by an unbroken layer of flour.

Chocolate Bread

1 cups tepid water
1 egg, beaten
1 tbsp skimmed milk powder
1 tbsp butter, melted
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp salt
3 cups strong white bread flour
1/2 cups cocoa powder
1 tsp dry yeast

Add ingredients to bread maker. Because of the egg it is better to bake this bread immediately, do not use the timer.

Oat Walnut Soda Bread

200 ml porridge oats
200 ml wholemeal flour
75 g walnuts, crushed
3 tsp baking powder
1 tbsp sugar
1 tsp salt
50 g organic butter, melted
200 ml semi-skimmed milk

Crush the walnuts, a blender is useful here, try to leave some bigger bits for texture. Combine all the dry ingredients together then mix in the butter and milk. Leave mixing to a minimum, we are not trying to knead the dough. Unlike most bread recipies, the less you mix, the fluffier the bread.

Divide the dough and make three round low beads on a baking try. Use a knife to lightly section each bread into four but don't slice through. Bake in the oven at 225 degrees, gas mark 7 for about 20 minutes or until the tops start to brown.

Goes well with Broccoli Soup.