I hesitated to post about this bread. It is almost too simple and it is made in a bread machine. With all the heat, I just did not feel like firing up an oven. The bread machine was my best option if the heat continues.
It has been pretty warm here in Southern California. I am pretty lucky since I get an ocean breeze. However, we are in the middle of a drought. It has hardly rained in four years. Everything is so dry. You may have caught some of the news where there was a fire at the Cajon Pass and Highway 15 on Friday. The 15 is the highway to Las Vegas. It was 4:30ish. Rush hour. I am not sure how it started but it swept up the hill and crossed the highway. The cars were stranded on the highway; when the fire swept through, they immediately caught fire. A cinder from the fire landed in a boat that was being towed by a car, which immediately caught fire, and from there it jumped to a semi along with about forty five other vehicles. It was all ash in a matter of minutes. Very frightening to watch. On top of that everyone is fighting over water rights. Almond farmers and avocado farmers are vying with rich people that feel entitled for their pools and lawns, to just regular people that need the basic needs for water. We have no water to spare yet the fire can’t be allowed to burn. Ironically we have an ocean of water, but they can’t use ocean water because the salt content. Nothing would grow after the salting the land. So like I said I didn’t feel like heating up the house.
I have made this bread many times. When I first started making it sometimes it was good, sometimes not so much. But, after much tinkering I have success. What really helped me was I started weighing my ingredients. It gave me consistency. I knew if it did not turn out it was not my measurements so it freed me up to tinker and make adjustment until I got it right.
One of the things not so nice about a bread machine is it leaves a hole in the bottom. When I first started making this bread I left the paddle inside the bread. When it was done and I went to slice it, the paddle made an ugly hole. Then just by chance I was watching Wolfgang Puck selling his machines. While my machine is not one of his, I learned that he would reach into the machine when it was done churning. He pulled out the paddle, and then left the dough to proof and bake.
The total cycle time for my machine is three hours and twenty minutes. I set a timer for one hour twenty minutes, by that time it is done churning and getting ready to proof. I remove the paddle and let it proof, then bake. You still get a small hole, but not the mess that the paddle used to leave. (If you have a machine the timing may differ; just be sure it is done churning and ready for proofing.) Oh, I almost forgot to tell you the most important thing, when it is done with churning lift out the pail, then run your hands under the water – leave them wet before you reach in for the paddle, the dough will not stick to your wet hands. Place the pail back in the machine. It should take another one hour to proof and another to bake.
Another problem is this bread has no shelf life. Without preservative it is a one or two day bread. I usually cut it in half and freeze one half, which buys me a little more time.
But, it turns out after I told you all the negative things about this bread, I will tell you when I have baked this for company, there was not one slice left over, not even the crust. Well, especially the crust.
On the second day if I have leftover bread I make breadcrumbs in the Cuisinart and cube some for croutons, and those go in the freezer. Toast them as needed with a little olive oil and herbs/spices of your choice. I haven’t bought breadcrumbs or croutons in years.
All in all this makes a very nice bread for sandwiches, or just some butter and orange blossom honey which always reminds me of my Grandmother. Her name was Mattie. She made her own bread, her own butter, and even had her own honeybees that were in the peach orchard. So I guess we had peach blossom honey.
If you have a bread machine and it is hot at your house this recipe makes a nice alternative to heating up the kitchen/house.
P.S. It rained Saturday. I have been searching for the rainfall total, but have not found it. Probably because it was not that much, but it was so welcomed. We are praying for a wet winter this year.
- 13 ounces flour (4 ounces whole wheat & 9 ounce bread flour)
- 2 tablespoon sugar
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 tablespoon oil
- 2 tablespoon butter - melted
- 1 ½ salt
- 6 grams instant yeast
- Add salt to the pail.
- Add the flour.
- Add sugar, then yeast.
- Pour oil and melted butter into buttermilk.
- Pour into pail.
- Set on setting one or your normal bread time for your machine.
- Set your timer to remove paddle when it is ready to proof.
I’m taking this to
Chris Scheuer says
The drought in CA makes me so sad. After being there last summer and seeing all the brown that should have been green, I understand so much better.
Your bread looks so fine. I don’t have a bread machine anymore but after seeing yours, I wish I did. That’s a great trick about pulling out the paddle!
Ms. Lemon says
I have mixed feeling about that bread machine. I feel like I should not be using it if I am going to be a better cook, but it is so darn hot it has saved me many times like now.
You would not believe it is raining today, but it will not be enough. The poor people that live inland are having flash floods which does no good since it all runs away and causes mass distraction.
Thanks for stopping by Chris. Hope your little ones are back on track.
Chez Bonne Femme says
I’ve never owned a bread machine–thought it might take up too much “real estate” in my kitchen. But this is a good argument for getting one!
Ms. Lemon says
Wini, my bread machine was a gift or I would not have it, and probably won’t replace it when it dies because it does take up valuable real estate, but it is nice in the summer when you don’t want to heat up the house.
Kitty says
You gave such great tips about using the bread machine, Madonna! Now I wish I hadn’t given away my bread machine! I do love making homemade bread, as you know, and yours looks wonderful. My favorite part of homemade bread is the yummy crusts!
I so love hearing memories of your grandma. She had a loving influence on your life and your cooking, didn’t she? I guess I hope that someone will think of me that way one day.
I’m happy to hear you got some rain. I know you need more, but even a little is greatly appreciated. Yes, I did see in the news, the fire on the highway. So scary!!!
Take care and happy baking!
Ms. Lemon says
Kitty, I only use it in the summer so I would not tell anyone to go out and buy one, just if you have one it is nice not to heat up the house.
As for my memories of my grandmother, I only remembered them as I started my blog and started writing, when the memories started pouring out. Their farm was wonderful, storybook farm. It had everything from walnut trees and pecan trees, to fish in the many ponds, fruit trees, and beehives, and a grape arbor.
As for the rain, I wonder if we will ever get enough, but those living inland the rain did some very destructive damage. I wish we could figure out how to divide up the rainfall.
Thanks for stopping by Kitty.
Susan says
Madonna, the drought you’re having is just awful and the story about the fire rampaging on the highway is very scary. We take an annual trip to the Palm Desert area with 3 other couples to golf and get away from the Wisconsin winter for one week. It will be so sad if they aren’t allowed to water the golf courses but I totally understand that California needs this water desperately for much more important uses than keeping the tourists happy. Wishing you some much needed rain that will sink in and help the cause! About the bread machine, I love mine and use it often but usually don’t leave the bread in the machine to bake. I love the idea of reaching in and taking out the paddle. Never thought of that! I love making bread and will save your recipe to try. It sounds delicious!
Ms. Lemon says
Susan, I hope you like the bread. Be sure to weigh the flour.
As for the water, I think they use recycled water for the golf courses or grey water as it is named. I know in our greenspaces they have a sign saying, “do not drink this water – it is grey water”.
Pattie @ Olla-Podrida says
I cannot tell you just how excited I get when I find a new bread machine recipe. This looks delicious, and I WILL be trying it!
Ms. Lemon says
Pattie, When I lived in the Midwest I was always looking for a way not to heat up the house. I hope you like it.
John@Kitchen Riffs says
I don’t have a bread machine, and often wondered whether I should get one. Sounds like a fun gadget, and I do love gadgets! When we bake bread we always freeze at least half of it too — no way we can get through an entire loaf before it goes stale! Anyway, this looks really good — thanks.
Ms. Lemon says
I would not have one except it was a gift and is really old. I probably won’t replace it when it goes, but for now it has saved me. After all my complaining about the drought CA got lots of rain. (The wrong kind that floods, and runs off, but still it was rain.) Now it is humid like the Midwest so the bread machine came in handy. 🙂
Sherry says
I have a bread machine, but I haven’t used in years. I never did master the art of using it to make bread. Your photo says that you did! Thanks for sharing with us at Funtastic Friday. Please join us again this week.
Miz Helen says
I really miss my Bread Machine sometimes, it really was a time saver. This bread looks delicious, maybe I will put a Bread Machine on my wish list. Hope you are having a fantastic day and we are so excited that you shared your post with Full Plate Thursday.
Thanks so much and Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
Lou Lou Girls says
Oh my! This looks so fabulous! Pinned and tweeted. Please join us tonight at 7 pm, and party with us. I can’t wait to see your new masterpieces or amazing classics! Lou Lou Girls
Stephanie says
Looks wonderful!! Thank you so much for linking up at Tasty Tuesday! This post has been pinned on the Tasty Tuesday Pinterest board! I love having you and can’t wait to see you next week!