I’m in LOVE with my BreadMan

Truth be told, when I was looking at new machines I skipped the Breadman machines because, well, the name.  Breadman.  It just didn’t sound, I dunno, professional enough, or that it was a fly-by-night kind of organization like most things that have “man” after the product.  I put my prejudices and gave him a whirl.  I’m so glad I did.

As you all know, I anthropomorphize most common appliances and afghans that I’ve made.  My car is named Lulu (after the homicidal prostitute in the same named Opera), my afghans are named Monster, Ziggy, Preppy and so on.  And you’re all aware of Frankie.  I haven’t named my Breadman yet, I suppose I should.  What about Charlie?…it has Adonis DNA and Tigers Blood running through it’s wires…and honestly it’s just crazy good! (Winning!)

What I like most about Charlie is:

• He lets me experiment.  Unlike the Westinghouse that I had briefly, if you didn’t follow the instructions to a T (including putting four 1/2 pats of butter in each corner) it wouldn’t work.
• Big window so I can watch when I’m experimenting
• Timer, three crust settings and something like 15 different bread/batter bread/jam settings
• It’s tall but not wide, takes up less precious real estate in my galley-ish kitchen.
• Can produce bread in 1.5 hrs. if I’m desperate for hot fresh bread.
• Has a beeper so when I want to add raisins, nuts or try my hand at the cinnamon apple bread again, I will have chunks not a blended fruit bread like with Frankie.

If there’s one thing that I don’t like about Charlie is the largest loaf is 2lbs.  It doesn’t last long in my house.  But we have gone down one person in the house so maybe now it will last longer.

I plan on using the recipes for jams and jellies as well as the other ones for batter breads like banana bread and such.  I will definitely keep y’all in the loop for those.

I’m Baaaaacccckkkkk!!!

It took some time to get a machine that would bend to my predilection to improvise.  My sister gifted me with a WestBend machine that was so persnickety if I breathed on it the wrong way I’d get a cobblestone instead of a loaf.  So, when that one went the way of the dodo I found a NEW on on Craigslist.com.  So, now I am the proud owner of a BreadMan TR555LC.  I haven’t named it yet.

So, I did the first loaf a 1/2 and 1/2 of white wheat set on a timer (the most important part of having a breadmachine….if you can’t wake up to fresh hot bread why bother (am I right or what?).  Then I got a request for cake-bread, which was made with all the required flour less 1/2 cup for almond meal.  Double Yum!

I want to try some denser breads, more bang for the bite kind of thing.  I’ve invested in some Quinoa (keen-wah) flour, flax meal and gluten.  I’m going to see if  I can produce something that is high in protein, amino acids and other good stuff so the carbohydrate intake will be offset by the fiber and goodness in the rest. I’ll keep you informed…..now that I’m baking again.