The Fresh Loaf

A Community of Amateur Bakers and Artisan Bread Enthusiasts.

frustrated

Lindal010101's picture
Lindal010101

frustrated

I have tried what seems like a bazillion different bread recipes that people say are terrific, and I think they are fair to poor at best.  Am I expecting to much out of home made bread.  I'm mainly trying breads with seeds added, sesame, flax, sunflower, etc.  Shouldn't it taste somewhat as good as supermarket bread, if not better?

Help!  I'm reading to throw in the breadmachine.

Thanks.

 

clazar123's picture
clazar123

I threw in my bread machine years ago. I never got anything near an artisan loaf. I would get a hot,fresh bread but nowhere near the flavor profile of current artisan breads.And anything whole wheat was usually a brick.

Try making bread by hand.It's not that hard-just time consuming and your hands get messy .But it all washes off and the time is enjoyable if you are doing this for the pleasure of it.

 

 

alabubba's picture
alabubba

When you are trying to become a great athlete it is first necessary to learn to run.

I would start with the 1st loaf

http://www.thefreshloaf.com/lessons/yourfirstloaf

Use this simple recipe to get the basics down. And while this is a simple bread, it is a delicious one. After you have baked a few loaves then try moving on to the other lessons.

I have a saying that I use when teaching someone how to cook.

"Its not rocket science, its lunch"

margieluvschaz's picture
margieluvschaz

Don't throw in the towel!  You just need to find recipes that make you smile!

Have you tried any of the recipes on www.breadtopia.com?  they are no knead & easy but they taste great.  I slash my sourdough & it opens up beautifully much better than the store.  I have gotten so mant great recipes from this site Norm's roll, Flyod's honey wheat sandwich, Susan's sourdough are just a few to look at.  There is also a No Knead English muffin bread on taste of home that bakes up beautifully and tastes great.  It's easy to get discouraged.  It just takes practice.  My kids love  soft sanwhich bread.  I'm still looking for a great eat recipe for that.  The problem is what other posters described home bakers don't put the chemicals in the bread to gett hem to stay soft- but I still plug away.

I have a bread machine but have only used it once 7 years ago- I need to find some recipes for it! So much bread so little time = ]

take care-Margie

Aussie Pete's picture
Aussie Pete

Hi,

Don't give up. Keep exploring different recipes, find one or two that suit you. Now instead of throwing out your bread machine use it to knead your dough only. Remove your dough, shape  proof and bake your loaves in a normal oven. Or you can place your dough in a standard bread pan if your looking for a sandwich shaped loaf.

The bread world is your oyster once you explore some different recipies and are prepared to use your bread machine for kneading only. Also check out you tube for bread shaping.

Cheers.........Pete

Lindal010101's picture
Lindal010101

Thanks everyone for your help.

Looking forward to trying some of your suggestions/recipes.

Maybe I just started to ambitiously and need to take baby steps.

Again, thanks and Happy Easter

Linda

cgmeyer2's picture
cgmeyer2

i had a similar problem with bread not tasting the same in my bread machine. i have trouble kneading by hand due to a major right wrist fracture.

i use my bread machine on the the dough cycle for the initial knead & rise. i then transfer to a food grade bucket for the final rise. i bake the bread in my oven in pans or my claypot.

i have received many wonderful tips o this site & have developed what works for me. hope this helps you.

take care, claudia