You know what Spanish bread is like eat it the same day or use it for rubble the next. So on my last visit to the UK I visited a car boot sale, and as you do you see something you don’t need but you buy it. Spotting a Morphy Richards Breadman pro on the floor next to the one stall I asked the young lady how much it was to which she replied £5 I examined the machine and it must of been used once, twice at the most.
Being cheeky I said take £3 for it, ok she replied so deal done.
Checking out the supermarkets for the yeast and strong flour (yes I did my research) I headed back to Spain with one bread machine, 30 kilos of strong flour 48p for 1.5kg, boxes and boxes of Hovis yeast and a good assortment of other supplies.
Now I can have good tasty bread whenever I want, it keeps for 3 days as I mix in some virgin olive oil, and there is nothing like sitting on the terrace with an ice cold beer listening to the birds with the aroma of baking bread wafting through the doorway. Plus there is no need for me to go out shopping for a stick of bread.
The bad news
Obviously I don’t fly, so if you do… well its not worth the excess baggage
Bread flour in Spain is expensive
AlaninSpain where are you i am calling around .... yes i am “Now I can have good tasty bread whenever I want, it keeps for 3 days as I mix in some virgin olive oil, and there is nothing like sitting on the terrace with an ice cold beer listening to the birds with the aroma of baking bread wafting through the doorway. Plus there is no need for me to go out shopping for a stick of bread .
any one know where he is ..... the hunt on for the cold beer and bread and i have pm you aswell
Personally I don’t see the point of buying a breadmaker. (although you got one at a great price)
It is very easy to make bread yourself and kneeding dough is quite therapeutic. And you get to be a bit adventurous, adding cheese, dice olives, paprika, etc…
Each to their own really but time is the major factor as its all automated, but one of the main advantages of a breadmaker over conventional baking is less cost energy wise which is a “green” issue, so maybe that’s a point that doesn’t concern you. Another advantage, there is no need to mess up the kitchen and end up with a pile of washing-up afterwards, again hot water=energy + time. Also the machine can be set to start the process during the night, nothing like waking up to the smell of fresh bread for breakfast. These are just off the top of my head, adding extra ingredients is also possible during the process, I have added garlic and dried tomato’s, but my machine is capable of making pizza dough, bagels, cakes, even jam. If it’s in the middle of summer the kitchen doesn’t heat up with a bread machine, while it’s working away you could be netting the bugs off your swimming pool again very therapeutic, but anything is therapeutic if you enjoy doing it.
Each to their own really but time is the major factor as its all automated, but one of the main advantages of a breadmaker over conventional baking is less cost energy wise which is a “green” issue, so maybe that’s a point that doesn’t concern you.
Hi Alan,
I don’t know about the green issue. But every environmentally friendly recipe involves an oven over a breadmaker.
Also if done as part of the meal, bread should have zero energy cost. Using the heat from pre-heating the oven for the main meal to cook/brown the bread.
AlaninSpain - 23 March 2009 04:18 PM
Another advantage, there is no need to mess up the kitchen and end up with a pile of washing-up afterwards, again hot water=energy + time.
The only real cleaning would be the bowl in which the dough rises. Even then only need a cup of hot water. So fair enough, probably more work than a breadmaker.
AlaninSpain - 23 March 2009 04:18 PM
Also the machine can be set to start the process during the night, nothing like waking up to the smell of fresh bread for breakfast. These are just off the top of my head, adding extra ingredients is also possible during the process, I have added garlic and dried tomato’s, but my machine is capable of making pizza dough, bagels, cakes, even jam. If it’s in the middle of summer the kitchen doesn’t heat up with a bread machine, while it’s working away you could be netting the bugs off your swimming pool again very therapeutic, but anything is therapeutic if you enjoy doing it.
Hi Alan,
I don’t know about the green issue. But every environmentally friendly recipe involves an oven over a breadmaker.
Also if done as part of the meal, bread should have zero energy cost. Using the heat from pre-heating the oven for the main meal to cook/brown the bread.
Hi Andrew I would be interested to know where you got that info from as I would change my viewpoint on bread machines verses ovens. One loaf baked in a conventional oven would supply the energy for a bread machine several times over, and lets face it not everyone cooks hot meals every day especially so in the summer months. So people would have to restrict their baking to when they were using the oven, so would that mean a trip down the road to buy some in order to save energy.
Using the heat from a pre-heating oven, well not a good idea, you need the oven up to a constant temperature and I think for a conventional oven it needs baking for around 40 minutes, if there is room in the oven to have the bread baking with the joint of beef or chicken I know my mother always did her bakery separate from other forms of cooking. The only advantage there is the oven has a kick start after the dinner was taken out
Funny how its us guys discussing cooking is this a sign of the times. Next week doing housework, following week why do we need a woman
Alan - you are buying bread flour in the wrong place if you think it is dear, surely you aren’t buying it from a supermarket?!!
Go to the bakers and buy it (harina de fuerza)- what do you think he uses (and the Spanish housewives)??
Our baker charges 45 cents a kilo and my bread and pizza bases are perfect!
Funny how its us guys discussing cooking is this a sign of the times. Next week doing housework, following week why do we need a woman
so we know how we’re doing it wrong of course!
arnt we !
Sorry I missed this post jurdyr but I have been too busy correcting mistakes made by….. yes you guessed not me in the kitchen
Lizzielogs - 04 April 2009 07:40 AM
AlaninSpain - 19 March 2009 05:58 PM
The bad news
Bread flour in Spain is expensive
Cheers
Alan - you are buying bread flour in the wrong place if you think it is dear, surely you aren’t buying it from a supermarket?!!
Go to the bakers and buy it (harina de fuerza)- what do you think he uses (and the Spanish housewives)??
Our baker charges 45 cents a kilo and my bread and pizza bases are perfect!
Lizzie thanks that’s a good tip to check out, no I didn’t buy any flour in Spain but I did notice the price. What area is that particular baker? because at that price its not worth me bringing any more back from the UK.
Any and all bakers sell flour, we live in a large village and have two bakers here (panaderia). I’m certain that even places like Malaga and Valencia would have localised areas where the women buy their daily bread, it’s the traditional way of life here.
An on a similar subject cake shops (paselerias) will sell you caster sugar if you ask nicely (azucar fina).
Lizzielogs
My breadmaker was one of the many things I shed via eBay in the run up to the move…. I have to say I really like shopping for bread every day! I don’t have time to go and haggle for fresh veggies in the mercado daily but a fresh crusty loaf is worth a quick trip out anytime. Trouble is I just go and eat it afterwards!
Wow I think it is a good idea to bake your own bread. I actually never thought about it.
I always thought it is too difficult to bake your own bread but I think I will go for a breadmaker and give it definitely a try. I absolutely love fresh bread and due to this I think this will be a good idea. After I tested it I will share my experiences.
Well home made bread is better than commercial made one. I love my mother in law honey bread. it is so simple but so tasty. I can eat one loaves in a day. I wonder, is bread in Spain is expensive, that you need to make your own?
