My Bread Making Adventure: Part III

First, a disclaimer: this isn't the third time I've made bread with my bread machine. I've probably made about a dozen or so loaves by now. This is, however, the third time I've blogged about it. :)

This loaf was rather experimental. I didn't have all the necessary ingredients for the recipe I was using, so I improvised a little. I have to say, I'm pretty happy with the results.

The original recipe was Bruce's Honey Sesame Bread, but here's what I used:

• 1 1/4 cups water
• 1/4 cup honey 3 tablespoons sugar (I love honey, but it just doesn't pack the same punch as sugar)
• 1 tablespoon powdered buttermilk 1/2 tablespoon powdered milk, 1/2 tablespoon plain, low-fat yogurt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 3 cups bread flour
• 3 tablespoons wheat bran 3 tablespoons whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup sesame seeds, toasted
• 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast

I can't guarantee that my adjustments make this bread any better or any worse than the original recipe. However, the end result came out quite tasty. The outside was flaky and crispy -- a feat I had yet to accomplish with my bread machine. The inside stayed light and fluffy, with a rich, sesame flavor. Warning: if you don't like sesame seeds, I'd avoid this recipe. Luckily, I love them.

Anyway, I hope my frequent gushing about the wonders of the almighty bread machine have inspired you to make your own breads. You don't need to be the next Rachel Ray, it really isn't even cooking. It's putting-stuff-in-a-pot-and-leaving-it-for-a-few-hours-ing.

Bread is such a staple of day-to-day consumption -- at least, for me. Being able to produce my own gives me the opportunity to save money, eat better, and get creative. So find a $10 bread machine at your local thrift store (I promise, there will be at least three at any given time) -- and get baking!