For the past ten years or so we have purchased very little that is electronic, instead opting for hand cranked or self powered items. Oil lamps, a hand cranked coffee grinder, food processor, and cast iron that can be used on a wood stove if necessary fill my cupboards. After reading Jim Lahey’s great book, My Bread, I have baked many a loaf of good bread. I don’t remember when I gave away my bread maker (when we became raw foodies for a short time? When we were trying to go off grid?) but when I plugged in the one from Grandma’s house that Grandpa sent me home with, a big smile crossed my face. All I had to do was layer the ingredients into the pan, slide it into the oven, press 7, and go about my chores. It mixed, raised, kneaded, and baked a heavenly loaf of bread for supper while I got laundry, gardening, and housework done. What have I been missing all these years?
Now that we are 100% solar powered, I tend to plug a few more things in (but not much!). The bread from the breadmaker is delicious. If I want a good boule, I will whip some up myself in mixing bowls and over hours, and bake it in my Dutch oven. It’s nice to have options. And nothing beats coming home to a house smelling of fresh bread.
By making your own bread for sandwiches, toast, croutons, pizza crust, and bread crumbs, you really cut down on the food bill and can control what you are eating. Flour, salt, yeast, and sugar do not cost much. I recently read what is in “dough conditioner”…well folks, let me just tell you that we won’t be eating take out pizza or processed bread any longer.
I bought my daughter a breadmaker for her bridal shower. I think it is the best of both worlds between convenience and homemade. A little homemade butter and you have heaven on a plate.
Here are a few recipes of mine from over the years on this blog if you want to try your hand at a homemade loaf. But do consider a breadmaker. I bet there is one at a second hand store by you!
Farmgirl School 