It’s no secret that ultra-processed foods have longer shelf lives. After watching a crazy clip on X where store-bought bread didn’t mold months after the expiration date, I brought out the ole’ bread machine. I eat enough other stuff packed with preservatives and chemicals that I’m sure only changing one item isn’t going to make a difference — still, I figure it’s a start if only for one attempt.
A new white bread recipe…
I’ve made most every different type of bread in the past — from French to cinnamon & sugar — but not once did I try to make plain old white bread. So, I looked online for a recipe that was easy and had a ton of positive reviews.
Here’s what I settled on — this is for a 2lb loaf:
- 1 1/2 Cups – Milk (warm)
- 6 Tablespoons – Unsalted Butter (softened)
- 4 Cups – Bread Flour (not all purpose flour)
- 2 Tablespoons – White Granulated Sugar
- 1 1/2 Teaspoons – Salt
- 1 1/2 Teaspoons – Bread Machine Yeast (Instant Yeast)
It took about 10 minutes to measure everything, microwave the milk & butter to the right temp and consistency, and dump everything in the machine, (liquids first, then flour, next dry ingredients — making a well in the center for the yeast). Add another 5 minutes to wash the bowls and measuring utensils, and to clean up the flour I’d flung all over the countertops because I’m messy.
Then I noticed the wad of not-yet-baked bread was about to push the top open on the machine. The recipe might need to be tweaked a little…
Was it worth the trouble?
Yes! The kitchen smells amazing and the bread is tasty — even though it’s pretty darned ugly. 🫣
Now you know: A dog named Joy was the only member of Nicholas II household to survive the family’s execution. The Bolsheviks murdered the former Tsar, his wife,their five children,four retainers, and two other dogs, but spared Joy because he didn’t bark. Joy was later rescued and lived out his days in England.