details and picture of crumb of yesterdays bread

[qahtan]

This is the crumb to the bread I posted a couple days ago, true there is couple of holes but nothing major to worry about, with this bread I added an egg also about 8 oz milk.

When I make bread I do not go rigidly by amounts in a recipe.
I use a DLX, and I use bottled water, about 1 litre, I add part of the flour and  mix in,
a tablespoon of sugar
and about 1 inch cube of fresh yeast that I crumple into the water /flour, or 3 teas
I then add almost enough more flour to give me a nice dough, adding a good 1/4 cup soft butter, mix that in,
then 1 1/2 teaspoons salt,
and enough more flour to give me the right feel of dough.
I then remove from the bowl, hand knead on floured counter to a
nice smooth round ball, place in oiled bowl, spray with water, cover and let rise on the counter
Then I knock it back, and shape as however I want it, maybe loaf
pans with 20 ounces in, or pullman with 30 ounces, or bread rolls or maybe freeform.
I have been making bread for many many years, also a wide variety of it.
To me bread is not an exact science, I enjoy bread baking, well any baking from scratch. Also I have shown many friends how to make bread, oh and also pastry. ;-))
I believe that bread takes it own sweet time to rise.
As I said I use a DLX, before that I used a Cuisinart Pro 7 food
processor,before that a Kenwood mixer, I do mill my whole wheat flour.

[qahtan]

[goodlife]

mmm..looks good.
I do too my own bread..but I've never made white loaf....
I have cupboad full of all sorts of flours and my bread is like a 'mongrel'..mixture bit of everything.. ;D..and I ground my own wholemeal flour too.
I never measure anything when baking bread..suppose you learn to trust your feel and eye to get the dough right.
Do you ever add into that dough other things..like dried fruit or nuts/seeds and spices?

[qahtan]

 Yes I make a great variety of breads, sweet and savoury, but my favourite is the walnut and Guinness, also cheese..... qahtan

[goodlife]

How much Guinness does end up into dough.. ;) ;D
I've made sourdough base with dark ale..yum..that bread really has strong wheaty..breadier taste.. ::)..so difficult to describe...but I'm sure you know what I mean. Even the smell from oven is better..
Does Guinness make the bread dark coloured too?

[qahtan]

 this is my walnut and Guinness loaf..
                                                  qahtan

[SamLouise]

Just the pictures have me smacking my lips :P

[pumkinlover]

that looks so yummy! Oh just imagine cutting the crust off and slapping on the lurpack!!

[goodlife]

Your bread looks so smooth and perfect..I bet you keep patting them like baby's bum.. ;D
Mine are always more of ...hmm...rustic..rough and ready looking.
If mine would end up looking like yours..I would not want to cut up into them.
Once OH have used his bread cutting skills on one of loafs.. ::)..its like something from chainsaw massacre film.. ::)
Beautiful bread qahtan.. ;D

[SamLouise]

If mine would end up looking like yours..I would not want to cut up into them.
Once OH have used his bread cutting skills on one of loafs.. ::)..its like something from chainsaw massacre film.. ::)

;D ;D I did laugh out loud!

[qahtan]

 I made 6 pints elderberry jelly this afternoon.

thanks for all the compliments... luv ya,,,,,me ,,,,,,qahtan

[Unwashed]

Sorry qahtan, not bread-related - just wanted to ask what happened to the flag in your avatar - it's left hand side's all upside-down.

[qahtan]

 yea well a Canadian did it for me,,, sorry... qahtan