The Fresh Loaf

A Community of Amateur Bakers and Artisan Bread Enthusiasts.

71 year old newbie

scotty71's picture
scotty71

71 year old newbie

I want to convert from store bought to home made. Myleft hand is very weak from a stroke. I have an electrolux assistante mixer that i want to use to save me work.  I just cant kneed by hand. My first attempt last week  using all purpose flour was a disapointment. I will use bread flour and dough enhancer next try i guess.

I dont think i know anything so i'm always open for instruction. Please  direct me.

I was pleased to find a bread making forum. :)

pmccool's picture
pmccool

And welcome to The Fresh Loaf.  It's a great place to get help with anything about bread.

Using your Assistent to do the mixing and kneading for you is a great idea.  Even if you come across recipes that are based on hand mixing or kneading, you can still use your mixer for those tasks.

For a good starting place, let me point you to the Lessons link at the top of the page.  Start with that first lesson and work with it until you get good at it.  Then move on to Lesson 2.

Paul

scotty71's picture
scotty71

Good advice thanks :)

davidg618's picture
davidg618

...and welcome to The Fresh Loaf

Being your senior, I can assure you there are techniques you can do that will help you produce great breads, without physical, mental or emotional stress. Fortunately, I've got full use of both hands, but the way I mix and 'develop the gluten' I could do with one hand.

Nonetheless, here is my one recommendation. Pick an easy to medium difficulty bread formula for that bread you like the most and eat most often. Make it, using techniques you'll find described here on TFL, or elsewhere. Keep making it, adjusting one ingredient or one technique at a time until you are happy with the results. Then make it five or ten more times not changing anything. Once you are satisfied you've got that favorite bread nailed down, start on your second most favorite bread, and repeat. Keep this up for the next five years--more or less--and you'll find you've got an enviable repertoire of breads.

This may sound a bit too disciplined, however it sounds like you want to replace your store-bought bread with self-made loaves, not just have another hobby. The discipline is necessary; it leads to consistency and enjoyment--enjoyment beyond just good flavor and mouthfeel.

Happy Baking, and ask for help anytime; The Fresh Loaf is a one-stop encyclopedia of good advice on all things bread-baking.

David G

scotty71's picture
scotty71

Dave

 We make wine-- distill-- I have a commercial meat grinder and a 30 pound electric  mixer to make sausages that we  stuff with our own stuffer. I'm just saying this because we will be taking this bread thing very seriously and appreciate all tips. We will start wit a 1 or 2 loaf mix till we get it right then we will di 6 at a time. Thats the plan, Varietys of breads???? WEEEl who knows-- ill be thrilled with white for now.

Just a  note. I have made the pane rustica in the dutch oven from frankhausers websit a few times with success  but it doesnt require work.

davidg618's picture
davidg618

Well you're well equipped! And we're very much on the same page. Check this out.

http://www.thefreshloaf.com/node/23011/fifth-annual-open-house

Keep us informed--pictures especially if you can.

David G

scotty71's picture
scotty71

David, i see that i will have to take another serious look at charcuterie. :)

scotty71's picture
scotty71

I enjoyed your link Thanks-- You shoulld  NOT have asked for pictures  LOL

 

scotty71's picture
scotty71

This is  my only success. It's from frankhausers page-- pane rustica. I  have made it a few times. I have made sour dough ((bricks)) many times and some sour dough that was only suited for grinding into bread crumbs.

   We just purchased 5 pounds of bread flour and will start with the bread in the first lesson. We really want to get to making 6 loaf batches after a time :)

 

THERE ARE TOO MANY PICTURES HERE so ill just post a link

 

http://s35.photobucket.com/user/slowpoke59ds/library/JUST%20FOOD?page=1#/user/slowpoke59ds/library/JUST%20FOOD?page=1&_suid=136429533323108588654863110043