Gourmet Baker
Last Things Last
You’ll see this tip in several places in this book, but it bears repeating: Always put the liquid!
in first, the dry ingredients in next, and the yeast last (fruits and nuts are added later, after
the
machine has completed the first knead). Dig a shallow hole in the dry ingredients and
place
the yeast in the hole so that there’s absolutely no contact between the liquids and the yeast
This is especially important when you’re using the Delay bake option. You don’t want the yeas
to be activated too soon in the process!
Placement Counts!
Place dried fruits, vegetables, and dried spices away from the liquid ingredients in the
bread
pan. If they soak up water, they can undermine the bread’s chemistry.
Freshness First
Avoid using perishable ingredients -- milk, yogurt, eggs, or cheese -- with the Delay
bake
function.
Just Wait Fifteen
For best results, wait fifteen minutes before slicing; the bread needs time to cool.
Deep Freeze
To freeze fresh bread, let it cool completely and double-bag in plastic.
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