Random Access Memories

So, I finally feel confident enough with my bread recipe to post it. This is for simple white bread, but you can us wheat flour if you like.

I use a 2lb loaf bread machine.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 cups water
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 tablespoons honey (If you get a 6+ tablespoon measuring glass and put the oil in first, then the honey in with it the honey slides right out)
• 2 Tablespoons powdered milk
• 19 ounces (by weight) of bread flour (Sometimes called “high gluten” flour. All purpose will work, but not as well)
• 1.75 teaspoons salt
• 2 to 2.25 teaspoons yeast (If it doesn’t rise past the top of the pan increase the amount in .125 (1/8th) teaspoon increments on your next loaves, if it touches the lid of the breadmaker during cooking reduce the amount in the same increments.

Honey and olive oil specifically are what makes this recipe different, they give it a good chewy feel rather than a dry flaky texture.

One thing that most people miss is that you should watch the mix as it starts to knead in the machine. Make sure you scrape the sides with a plastic or rubber spatula so that you get a good cohesive ball. It it looks a little too mushy add small amounts of flour, if it’s looking too dry add tiny bits of water. Either way it won’t make a real difference, but it’s the difference between a good loaf and a great loaf.
For those that are lactose intolerant just remove the powdered milk, some folks can’t even notice the difference.

Enjoy