Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Cookbook Wednesday: Bread

In answer to Karin's musing about our temperatures, I've been baking bread.  Oh, cookies and brownies, too, but lots of bread.

Along about October, my bread machine decided it didn't like me any more, and was no longer going to function correctly.  Well, that was OK, because I only use it as a mixer anyway, and I do have a Kitchenaid.  But then, a couple of weeks ago, my dearly beloved wondered why I wasn't using the bread machine to knead my bread, and I reminded him that the bread machine had decided we were no longer friends.  So he ordered me to get a new one.  (And, really, who has trouble complying with an "order" such as that: buy yourself something!)

In honor of the new bread machine, this Cookbook Wednesday focuses on the biggest bread machine cookbook out there - and it's useful even if you don't have a bread machine!  It's Beth Hensperger's Bread Machine Cookbook!

The table of contents barely gives you an idea of the scope of this book.

You can see by my ribbons and whatnot that I have some favored recipes in this book.  To be fair, since I got it for Christmas in 2004, I've had time to try out a recipe or 2.

I like the fact that when a recipe calls for an odd ingredient, she gives you assistance in obtaining or creating it.  This description of sprouting wheat berries is an example.

She also has many things related to how you use your bread dough, such as this page about making pizza sauces and cooking pizza.  I read it eagerly, but usually buy my pizza sauce anyway.

Her recipes for jams are great, too.  Who knew a bread machine could be so versatile?  I think my dearly beloved needs this strawberry jam for his breakfast bread.

There are plenty of other goodies in here, too, including making spreads for breads, using stale breads, gluten free breads, creating your own bread recipes, and too much else to list.
If you want pictures, this is not the book for you, because there aren't any.  But that's OK with me, because my creations are never as pretty as the pictures.  Anyway, I probably need to spend more quality time reading and absorbing this book!

Once again, I'm hosting Cookbook Wednesday for the lovely and talented Louise from Months of Edible Celebrations!  She will likely be back next week, but if life is still overwhelming, I'll continue to carry the torch for her.



If you want to be added, leave me a comment, and I'll list you below.

Louise from Months of Edible Celebrations posted a booklet of Mexican recipes on Frozen Margharita Day.  I'm happy to list her as the first link!

Poppy's Surplus Recipes, including the delightful sounding Split Pea Bars and Bean Pudding Cake!  Poppy finds the humor in every cookbook. 

Debbie's Ground Beef Recipes with the bonus of her making meatballs for us!  Happy to have you join us, Debbie! 

Nellie's Breakfast Cookbook gives me more baking ideas!  It's a very well loved book, judging by her pictures.

Happy Wednesday, everyone!

10 comments:

Debbie said...

Hi Marjie,

Here is my link for Cookbook Wednesday.

http://thefridayfriends.blogspot.com/2015/02/meatballs.html

I wish I made homemade bread on a regular basis.

Nellie said...

It has been years since we've had a bread machine! I do mine the "old-fashioned" way when I bake it.

I've a Cookbook Wednesday post today!

Two French Bulldogs said...

Mom use to have one of those, yummy
snorts,
Lily & Edward

~~louise~~ said...

HI Marjie!
Wow! That is one thorough Bread Machine Cookbook!!! I wouldn't even know where to begin, as you well know, lol...

That hubby of yours sure is a Gem. I hope you'll be making him some strawberry jam. He most certainly deserves it:)

It really has been some good bread baking weather, not that I have baked any but the thought has occurred to me. I did whip up that pie crust you so kindly shared with me. It's actually my go to crust.

You've been terrific about "carrying the torch" for Cookbook Wednesday, Marjie. Thank you so much! It looks like I should be able to start back up in March. Most things with Marion are squared away for the time being. Thank YOU!!! And thanks for sharing this book too, if only I could smaple some bread:)

Lapdog Creations said...

From time to time, we toy with the idea of getting a bread machine... but then remember it's yet another bulky item we'd have to find storage for in our too-small kitchen...

grace said...

my grandma had a bread maker for a while and i LOVED using it! it was so easy! good bread, too. great, now i want my own bread maker. :/

Pam said...

It looks like a great cookbook. You are the best bread maker and I am glad your beloved ordered you to buy a new bread machine. Good man!

Sue said...

I love my bread machine. I use it for the whole process because my wrists don't work too well anymore. Mine is pretty old now and I'm thinking about a new one. What kind is yours and how do you like it?

Mickle in NZ said...

I think Gordon (my dear Dad) is now onto breadmaker #4. My Folks' regular breads are his whole oat bread for breakfast toast and bread rolls for lunch each day. The rolls always include some fresh rosemary from their garden.

Kepp warm and cosy, Michelle xxx

Poppy Crocker said...

I really only use my bread machine as a mixer too! I hate the hole in the bottom of the loaf if I cook it in the bread machine. It's so handy for getting the dough ready, though!