What are you doing?
- Thread starter buckytom
- Start date
The friendliest place on the web for anyone that enjoys cooking.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
GotGarlic
Chef Extraordinaire
I have been mentioning to the kids how I have been wanting a bread machine for the longest time. The Pirate mentioned right back that the average person who has one doesn't even know where their machine is today. They use them a few times and then forget about them. Also, because they make such a big loaf, the bread goes stale in one day since there are no preservatives in the recipe.
I guess he is right. I can make just one loaf by hand and know it till be gone in one day. There is a machine that make a one pound loaf, but it is just too expensive.
You can get them really inexpensively at thrift shops. At the master gardeners' open garden and yard sale, I bought two bread machine cookbooks *and* a bread machine for $3.
You can slice the bread and freeze it, and you can make many different kinds of bread and rolls. I use it to make yeast dinner rolls, French bread baguettes and rolls, cinnamon-raisin bread, etc. You don't have to eat it all. People love gifts of homemade bread
Aunt Bea
Master Chef
I do that and if the people on my list don't cross my path by the Epiphany the money goes back into the general fund!
Addie
Chef Extraordinaire
Does anyone know of a dip for chestnuts? I have always eaten then right from the oven with just a little salt. It seem to me that they are crying out for something else.
Without the salt, roasted chestnuts sound like they might go well with hot melted chocolate e.g. fondue.Does anyone know of a dip for chestnuts? I have always eaten then right from the oven with just a little salt. It seem to me that they are crying out for something else.
Addie
Chef Extraordinaire
Thank you. That does sound so right. Who else would come forth with a perfect answer but a member from Charles Dickens's Christmas, England.
My bread machine is one of my most used and favorite tools. I have had it since 1999 and have used it only once or twice to actually make bread in it as the manufacturer recommends. It is my "helper" for doing the kneading and for the first rise of the dough. In fact, many, many years ago I spoke with one of the resident bakers at King Arthur Flour about using the machine in this way. She told me that a bread machine does a much more thorough job of kneading that the human hands can.
I have arthritis in both my hands and a number of years ago I discovered that kneading even for a few minutes just kills my hands. Enter my good friend, the bread machine. I used to enjoy the rhythm and solitude of the kneading process but "Arthur(itis)" saw fit to rob me of that.
I use it a minimum of once per week and have since the beginning. I even have a second one, slightly smaller but the same maker, that I use during the holidays when I often have both of them whirring away at the same time.
The first one was purchased during a Black Friday sale for me by a friend of mine while I was recuperating from major surgery. It was a great price and I was glad because I was skeptical as to whether or not I'd use the thing. The second one I bought at a thrift store for $3.00 because I discovered that having an additional one would be helpful...and it is immensely so.
Addie
Chef Extraordinaire
Since my sister died, I don't get out to thrift stores anymore. I sure miss her. And it is definitely something my daughter would never enjoy doing with me. So I don't even bother to ask her. If and whenever The Pirate gets a car, I know he would be more than willing to take me. But I am not holding my breath on that happening. In the summer our local newspaper carries a full page of yard and garage sales. The Pirate is as passionate about them as I am.
tinlizzie
Head Chef
My Mom used to roll the divinity out flat on powdered sugar and spread peanut butter on it; then roll it up and slice into pinwheel pieces. I don't remember whether there was any sugar added to the peanut butter, but everybody loved it. I've never been able to make divinity like she did. It's just as well -- I manage to eat too much sugar without it. Oh, those heady days before we knew the awful truth about refined sugar.
bakechef
Executive Chef
That sounds delicious!
simonbaker
Chef Extraordinaire
- Joined
- Feb 21, 2011
- Messages
- 16,478
I had an enjoyable birthday today. Slept in late, started making Christmas candy, went to our daughter's piano recital, out to eat then back to Christmas baking, time for bed now, good night!
Cheryl J
Chef Extraordinaire
It's 10PM and I spent the last 2 hours watching a movie and halfheartedly working on my no-sew blankets. If I spend another hour on them, I can get one more finished and start on another one.
Kayelle
Chef Extraordinaire
Happyu Belated Birthday SB and Happy Birthday KL!!!
Aunt Bea
Master Chef
Up at 2:30 this morning, made a pot of sauce with meatballs and a pot of soup.
Yeah, I couldn't sleep, either. Going into work early, see how much I can get done before everyone else shows up.
Aunt Bea
Master Chef
I used to do that so I could sort of glide into my day.
In those days I used to smoke so I would go in early to compensate the company for my smoke breaks, drove my co-workers crazy!
I've come to the conclusion that smokers are the only people who actually take regular breaks...since I quit I have to plan my breaks consciously. Sometimes I even forget lunchtime until it silly late to take it.
Cooking Goddess
Chef Extraordinaire
Must be something going around. I managed a total of 3 hours of sleep. This place has Chevy truck mattresses - "like a rock". ;-) Of course, Himself slept just fine. He's like a lizard. He could sleep on a real rock! Can't wait to get on the road so I can sleep in the car.
