Breadmaker

[poch]

Does anyone have any thoughts on bread makers and which ones are good? And do you actually end up using it as an alternative to buying bread regularly ie are they fairly straightforward to use? Getting a bit fed up with local options which are either run of the mill sliced from newsagents, or v expensive from smart bakery places....Thoughts gratefully received!

[Angelina]

I've got a Morphy Richards Fast Bake. I do use it and it is easy. It makes loaves in an hour. It's really easy to use...I imagine they all are.

I would just think about the money you want to spend and them check reviews for models that are in your budget.

[poch]

Thanks Angelina. Will have a look at your one.

[Robert Poste's Child]

I used to have a Panasonic one which was very good and was recommended to me by a cook friend. Straightforward to use and clean. Only drawback was if you set it up on timer the night before to make bread for breakfast the noise of the paddle woke you up too early.

My best recipe is granary flour, but replace one ounce with rye to give it more density, and add a tablespoon of honey.

[Angelina]

I've not tried adding honey, but my friend also does it and I fully intend to.

I tend to add a couple of spoons of chocolate spread to fruit bread, which is fab but the other end of the 'healthy' scale....! (not Nutella, I prefer the M&S version)

[poch]

Really helpful....thanks guys

[Robert Poste's Child]

My other favourite is to do a basic white bread, replace the butter with s slightly excessive amount of olive oil and maybe add some crushed rosemary and sprinkle sea salt on top. Bit like Foccaccia but you can slice and lightly toast it.

[Sue]

I have a bread maker which I was given and have never used. It is quite old as the person who gave it to me was replacing it with a better one!

Thanks, the recipes above have inspired me to lug it out from the depths of a cupboard and try it out!