When I got married we registered for a bread machine. To my delight we received the perfect model, at least in my mind it was. I got very excited and bought a mix to try it out. I was very disappointed at the “door stop” I produced and wondered if bread making was for me. With the help of my sweet mother-in-law I obtained a few books on how to make great bread in a bread machine and homemade bread in general. It took a few more tries, but I was soon making all kinds of bread. A co-worker in those early years told me I would lose interest as “the honeymoon” would end. She felt I wouldn’t need to impress my husband anymore after those first few months, and I would have more important things to do than cook bread. She couldn’t have been more wrong.
I truly enjoyed my bread machine and wore out three pans as I cooked and cooked bread. I used it for every kind of dough possible and never thought I would use anything else. I loved using the delayed timer and having fresh cooked bread for dinner a couple nights a week.
As far as I can figure, my honeymoon must have never come to an end. Either that, or I just have a constant desire to keep my hubby happy. For whatever reason, I continue to make my own bread. I no longer use my bread machine (I sure miss that baby). Our family size is just too big for making one loaf at a time. But with the separation from the machine, I have learned about all kinds of different doughs and how to make them work. One thing I am convinced of now is this: I have more important things to do with my time than to constantly run to the store for bread. How much bread we eat shifts with each week. But when I can whip up a batch of bread for lunch in the morning and have it great for the next few days to a week, depending on our menu, there is no reason to run and run and run. Plus fresh homemade bread for lunch smothered in butter and honey. . . you can’t buy that at the store no matter how often you run. Also I like to pull off enough dough from my batch to make fresh rolls for dinner, or fresh “scones” as my mom calls them. Bread dough is so versatile. A large batch can be made into many things.
A great perk is coming home after a long trip and not having to go right the store the next morning for bread. (Powdered milk also keeps me from running to the store so much). Making bread is worth my time, for it gives me time, not to mention it saves me money. Sure we buy an occasional loaf, but I love the ability to make the bread we need. Every day. Not just in an emergency.
Fresh homemade bread is just so good. It is my number two weakness, number one being chocolate. I think I will stop typing now and go start a batch!
If you are new to the bread making world and need some help, let me know. I know the “door stop” phase, and I can help you get past it. I am no expert, but I love to cook it anyway.