My wife and I were in the HEB Plus yesterday and I stopped on the aisle where they showcase the selection of bread mixes. Okay, not really much of a selection at all - in fact, the one we really liked on the first go round, the Honey Wheat Berry was not there. So, I grabbed a European Cheese and Herb mix and gave it a whirl this morning.
We were out at Jim's for a late breakfast and when we came home, opened up the house to an incredible smell of hot bread goodness. I'm guessing that the bread machine must have finished within minutes of our return. Look at how the bread rose up over the top of the container.
And this is the finished product. If we were not so overly stuffed from pancakes at Jim's, I'd give it an immediate taste test, but I suppose it can wait a bit.
We received a spiffy little bread sized cutting board complete with bread mix kit for Christmas this year and decided to give it a try today. As we were getting ready, my wife came up with a list of items needed from HEB and we decided while there, to buy another bread mix and make two. Then, on our way home, we saw a garage sale that we had to stop at, and guess what we found? 
A bread maker for $10!
So, with two bread mixes, we decided to make them both at the same time but one using the machine and one by hand. Here is what happened.
First, the bread machine way. You add in a cup of water into the little cooking thing, then pour in the full box of mix on top of it.
Next, toss in the butter followed by the yeast that comes with the mix.
Finally, toss the whole thing into the bread making machine, and several hours later, it is done. I'll show you the finished bread in just a minute.
Now, the hand made method. First wash your hands and get the area cleaned off because this involves some serious action.
You have to mix half of the bread mix with the water and the yeast packet.
Then, as you mix it, you'll add in the rest of the bread mix little by little. It starts to get tough to mix, quick.
Then, get to kneading. I have to be honest, I didn't realize I would have to do this for 12 minutes and suddenly, I felt like I was the bread making guy on one of those Spanish Novellas. I thought of taking my shirt off! I'm sure you appreciate my restraint.
After all the kneading, the dough was well oiled, and placed in a covered bowl to rise for an hour.
After that, it was shaped into a loaf pan and covered for another 45 minutes worth of rising.
Finally, in the oven at 400 for 30 minutes.
And it is ready to serve!
And what about our bread in the bread maker? It was definitely a lot easier to mix, toss in the machine and cook, and as you can see, it came out very nicely done. But it actually took about half an hour longer in total time.
We enjoyed the taste of both breads, but the hand made one was a Honey Wheat Berry while the Bread Machine was a Honey Wheat. The one from the machine will be perfect for slathering on a tub of mayonnaise, some mustard and several hunks of ham in order to make a heart healthy sandwich for lunch. The Honey Wheat Berry is perfect for slathering on some hot melted butter and enjoying with dinner.
Needles to say, we'll be doing some more experimenting. Got any bread recipes? You should send them to me so we can give 'em a shot.
Our neighbor, Ruby, from down the street called my wife down to the house for a quick pick-up! She made a loaf of fresh home made bread.
Pure Heaven!
We were out at Jim's for a late breakfast and when we came home, opened up the house to an incredible smell of hot bread goodness. I'm guessing that the bread machine must have finished within minutes of our return. Look at how the bread rose up over the top of the container.
And this is the finished product. If we were not so overly stuffed from pancakes at Jim's, I'd give it an immediate taste test, but I suppose it can wait a bit.
A bread maker for $10!
So, with two bread mixes, we decided to make them both at the same time but one using the machine and one by hand. Here is what happened.
First, the bread machine way. You add in a cup of water into the little cooking thing, then pour in the full box of mix on top of it.
Next, toss in the butter followed by the yeast that comes with the mix.
Now, the hand made method. First wash your hands and get the area cleaned off because this involves some serious action.
You have to mix half of the bread mix with the water and the yeast packet.
Then, as you mix it, you'll add in the rest of the bread mix little by little. It starts to get tough to mix, quick.
Then, get to kneading. I have to be honest, I didn't realize I would have to do this for 12 minutes and suddenly, I felt like I was the bread making guy on one of those Spanish Novellas. I thought of taking my shirt off! I'm sure you appreciate my restraint.
After all the kneading, the dough was well oiled, and placed in a covered bowl to rise for an hour.
After that, it was shaped into a loaf pan and covered for another 45 minutes worth of rising.
Finally, in the oven at 400 for 30 minutes.
And it is ready to serve!
And what about our bread in the bread maker? It was definitely a lot easier to mix, toss in the machine and cook, and as you can see, it came out very nicely done. But it actually took about half an hour longer in total time. 
Pure Heaven! 
