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March 28, 2005
It's here! The arrival of the breadmaker
My, oh my. Who would have thought I'd have to come all the way to New Zealand to get my first bread machine, known here as a breakmaker? And who would have thought that an unemployed journalist could afford to buy herself one of these breadmakers? Well, if aforementioned journalist spends time surfing on Trademe, the Kiwi equivalent of Ebay, it seems that anything is possible. For the princely sum of $25 I purchased a PALSONIC Auto Bakery Breadmaker and we collected it tonight. What excitement!
Well, that was nothing as compared to the excitement felt by all the occupants of a certain wee house in Christchurch when the breadmaker was coming towards the end of its 3½ hour cycle. The yeasty, homey smell of fresh baked bread filled the air and the end product actually looked like a loaf of bread, albeit square - the cooking tin is not very loaf-like - but the proof was going to be in the eating. Well, you never know if you're buying a pig in a poke with this online trader activity.
It's reassuring to report that not only did the end result have the accurate appearance and smell but it also tasted like real bread. Phew! Apart from the fact that it was cooked in my own house, I have to say that I wasn't hugely impressed with the first loaf. It was a bit too...normal for my liking. Time to pore over the recipes that came with the breadmaker and see what innovations can be introduced.
Posted by Caroline at March 28, 2005 08:59 AM
Comments
I've got a breadmaker and I'm going to try your hot cross bun recipe. I'll keep you posted.
Posted by: James at April 17, 2005 07:22 AM
Sinéad: I've always loved yeast cookery but, life being what it is, I don't often have a half a day to devote to a loaf of bread. I was initially dubious about the merits of a breadmaker but an investment of $25 (€14 approx) was not much to ask and I now feel that I've been repaid several times over.
Once the ingredients are in the house, it is as easy to make a loaf than go to the shop. For five minutes work you get the satisfaction of producing your own bread, the excitement of seeing how it turns out (especially if, like me, you can't resist fiddling with the recipes!) and the evocative smell of fresh baking around the house.
I'm interested in doing more experiments, like making the Hot Cross Buns, using the breadmaker to take it to a dough stage and then doing my own shaping and rising but the lack of heat in this house (no central heating in New Zealand!) is not helping me to progress any further with that at the moment.
As regards taste, I don’t think that it suffers. But, then again, I wasn't likely to be making this plain kind of bread by hand anyway. I know that it produces lovely loaves that make gorgeous toast - the greatest recommendation in my books.
I would definitely be pro-breadmakers, then again I was lucky enough to get my hands on one very cheaply. Maybe watch out for second-hand ones in Ireland and, if you're not feeling fully satisfied with the breadmaker baking experience, it's always easy to cook other things while you've the measuring scale/cups out!
Posted by: Caroline at April 9, 2005 01:04 PM
As someone who used to bake a lot and just doesn't seem to have the time any more, I love the idea of home-baking. Do you think using a bread-maker diminishes either the taste or baking experience? (Have been thinking of getting one so in your culinary wisdom, do you think I should invest in one?)
Posted by: Sinéad at April 9, 2005 07:41 AM