On Mon, 19 Oct 2020 14:30:33 -0700 (PDT), Bruce
> wrote:

>Thomas wrote:
>
>> On Monday, October 19, 2020 at 1:32:28 PM UTC-4, KenK wrote:
>> > Sheldon Martin > wrote in
>> > :
>> > > On Mon, 19 Oct 2020 02:53:55 -0700 (PDT), Cindy Hamilton
>> > > > wrote:
>> > >
>> > >>On Saturday, October 17, 2020 at 10:55:30 AM UTC-4, KenK wrote:
>> > >>> I've done some experimenting with my old bread machine. I used
>> > >>> all-purpose flour and active dry yeast. The loaf was very small,
>> > >>> hard and lumpy. I tried again with bread flour amd bread mahine
>> > >>> yeast. Nice large tasty loaves.
>> > >>>
>> > >>> I'm surprised that the flour and yeast made that much difference.
>> > >>>
>> > >>> I last used the machine many years ago and I thought I had
>> > >>> successfully used all-purpose flour and regular yeast then. Maybe
>> > >>> flour and yeast have changed since then?
>> > >>
>> > >>What kind of all-purpose flour was it? A soft, southern-style flour
>> > >>that's good for biscuits? Or a higher-protein northern flour? If you
>> > >>don't know the protein content, we can guess from the brand name.
>> > >>
>> > >>Cindy Hamilton
>> > >
>> > > Ordinary bread is not fussy about type of flour, AP should be fine.
>> > > I'd say the yeast is suspect, probably old. I always proof yeast
>> > > prior to use, even with my bread machine. Simply stir the yeast into
>> > > a cup of slightly sweetened water, if it foams then it's good to use.
>> > > And I keep my yeast in the freezer and still I proof it. If yeast is
>> > > sitting out at room temperature it's likely dead... even most stores
>> > > keep yeast refrigerated, but if frozen it will keep well for at least
>> > > ten years.
>> > >
>> > I did proof the yeast as I had had it a long time. Foamed nicely as ever.
>> > --
>> > I love a good meal! That's why I don't cook.
>> Started baking since pandemic. Bought bread machine, bought books and the machine is now in the basement.
>> I do all pizza, bagels and bread by hand. By hand you will quickly learn what is right.
>
>
>If lazy Americans started doing more by hand instead of machine maybe their rate of morbid obesity would go down.

Having fun, Greg Sorrow?