Application Guide

AMERICA’S NEW BREAD BOX
The bread machine. Words that strike terror into the hearts of artisan bakers and advo-
cates of hands-on home baking, while conjuring up visions of delight to the ever-grow-
ing hordes of baking enthusiasts who claim they would never bake bread without a ma-
chine. An all-in-one appliance that is certainly an innovation in a time-honored craft, a
bread machine creates fresh, satisfying, full-flavored yeast breads with no compromise
of standards. A large part of the reason that people get so much joy from bread ma-
chine baking has little to do with the appliance itself, but comes from the deep emo-
tional value of making bread. Bread machine baking brings the same rewards as any
other type of baking. Whether you went out and bought a new machine, inherited one
from a friend who never used it, or picked one up at a church rummage sale, whether
you embrace this method of baking immediately or retain some skepticism, you will be
thrilled with the results if you give this appliance a fair run. Bread machine baking
boasts a fast-growing number of advocates, and seekers of gastronomic truth certainly
now have to include the bread machine next to pasta makers, cappuccino machines,
heavy-duty electric mixers, and food processors on their list of innovations in food
preparation that are here to stay. Quite simply, bread machines make fantastic bread.
If, like me, you tried years ago to use a bread machine and were dis-
appointed with the quality of the loaves, take heed: There is a new generation of ma-
chines that are nothing short of remarkable. Along with improvements to the hardware,
a solid batch of knowledge has accumulated about how to work effectively with the
medium. The common denominator in the new and growing world of bread machine
baking is the same enthusiasm, friendliness, and spirit of generosity that generally
mark the baker’s realm. With some of its activity newly housed in a plastic body, the
old-fashioned skill of baking must add a whole new vocabulary to its jargon.
Bread machines are made now by a dozen manufacturers and come in
many more dozens of models, with a variety of features and sizes to choose from. They
are not only easy to use, but inspire you to customize your own baking cycles and end
up turning out breads that rival supermarket loaves and even some bakeries, with their
thin, crisp crusts and even, soft-textured crumb. Bread machine baking requires so lit-
tle of your time that you can enjoy the luxury of fresh bread every day, the way things
ought to be. When all the hassle of baking is removed, you can enjoy the entire process
—from shopping for ingredients to hearing the cries of delight from appreciative
eaters. With its impressive repertoire of recipes, bread machines can produce bread for
everyone and every lifestyle. The bread machine has found a market in many who
would otherwise never bake, but enjoy good bread: those with the busiest schedules,
like on-the-go moms with little children, bakers who have physical disabilities that
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