Philips HD9040 Additional Baking Information Download Page 14

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Fats

Fats tenderise, add flavour and extend shelf life of bread by retaining moisture. Shortening, margarine, butter or oil can be interchanged in

recipes. Loaves baked with these fats will vary slightly. Avoid low-calorie soft margarine as the higher water content can greatly affect loaf size

and texture.

salt

Salt controls the action of the yeast and adds flavour. Never omit salt from the dough. The amounts used are small but necessary. Without salt,

the bread may overrise or collapse.

sugars

Sugars provide food for the yeast as well as sweetness for the loaf and colour for the crust. Unless indicated in the recipe, use granulated white

sugar. Honey, brown sugar and molasses give bread a unique flavour and colour. Substituting one for the other may affect the final result.

Aspartame-based (not saccharin-based) granular sugar substitutes can be used. Substitute equal amounts for sugar in the recipe.

liquids

Liquids blend with the flour to produce an elastic dough. Milk gives a tender texture while water results in a crisper crust. Skimmed milk powder

and buttermilk powder increase the nutritional value while softening the texture. There is no need to reconstitute skimmed milk powder or

buttermilk powder. The use of these powders increases the number of recipes that may be used in combination with the timer function. Do not

use the timer function for recipes that require fresh milk. Buttermilk powder tends to blend better when added after the flour.

If you use milk instead of water and milk powder, use the same amount as the water. Homogenised, 2%, 1% or skimmed milk can be used in

recipes that require milk. Unsweetened fruit and vegetable juices can be used in amounts stated in the recipes. Read the labels of these juices to

make sure they do not contain added salt, sugar or sweeteners.

Eggs

Eggs add colour, richness and flavour. Always use large-size eggs fresh from the refrigerator. Do not use the timer function for recipes that require

fresh eggs.

cheese

Do not press cheese into the measuring spoon when you measure it. Low-fat cheeses may affect the loaf height and shape. Do not use the

timer function for recipes that require cheese

Yeast

Yeast, a tiny single-celled living organism, feeds on the carbohydrates in flour and sugar to produce carbon dioxide gas that makes bread rise.

Mixed with water and sugar, yeast wakes up during the kneading process and fills the dough with tiny bubbles that make it rise. Initial baking

causes the dough to rise higher until the yeast is inactivated. Exposure to air, heat and humidity decreases yeast activity. Always use yeast before

the expiry date. After opening, store yeast in the refrigerator in its original container, and use it within 6-8 weeks. There are 3 types of yeast

available - active dry, instant, and breadmaker yeast. Breadmaker yeast is a particularly active strain of yeast with increased levels of ascorbic acid

(vitamin C). It was developed specifically for use in breadmakers. To substitute active dry yeast or instant yeast for breadmaker yeast, increase the

amount stated in the recipe by ¼ teaspoon. For the best results, use the type of yeast specified in the recipe. Heat kills yeast. When you prepare

fillings, it is important that you let ingredients such as melted butter cool down before you use them. Keep yeast away from liquids, fats and salt

as they slow the activity. Do not increase the amount of yeast stated in the recipe.

Cinnamon and garlic both inhibit rising. If you use these ingredients, add them at the corner of the bread pan to make sure they do

not touch the yeast.

testing yeast activity

Dissolve 1 tsp sugar into ½ cup lukewarm water in a measuring cup. Sprinkle 2 tsp yeast over the surface. Stir gently. Let the mixture sit

undisturbed for 10 minutes. The mixture should be foamy with a strong smell of yeast. If not, purchase new yeast.

Bread mix

Bread mixes are available in many stores. Bread mix already includes flour, salt, sugar and yeast in the right amounts, so it is convenient to use. It

also comes in many different flavours and varieties. In most cases you just have to put water or milk and butter or oil in the bread pan as

indicated in the instructions on the bread mix package, and then add the bread mix.

measuring ingredients

Perfect loaves depend on the correct amount of each ingredient. Therefore it is important that you measure ingredients correctly. Even 1 or 2

incorrectly measured tablespoons (either to much or too little) make a big difference for the end result. Never measure ingredients over the

bread pan, as you may spill excess ingredients into the bread pan.

Tip: When you have to add e.g. 280ml water, add 1 cup (250ml)of water using the measuring cup and then add 2tbsp (30ml) of water using the

measuring spoon.

storage

Store flour in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Exposed to heat or moisture, flour loses its strength and ability to rise. Flour absorbs

flavours quickly, so store it away from onions or garlic. Store bread, sealed tightly in a plastic bag or other airtight container, at room temperature

for 1 to 2 days. French-style breads should be stored in a paper bag or exposed to the air to retain their crisp crust. They are best eaten the

same day as baked

tools
measuring spoon

You can use the measuring spoon supplied to measure yeast, sugar, salt, milk powder and spices.

- Do not use measuring spoons to scoop up dry ingredients. Spoon dry ingredients lightly into the measuring spoon (Fig. 39).

- Heap the spoon, and then level it with the edge of a metal spatula or the straight edge of a knife. Do not press the ingredients into the

spoon, nor shake the spoon to level it (Fig. 40).

- The only ingredient that should be pressed into the measuring spoon is brown sugar. Press onto the sugar until it has the shape of the

measuring spoon.

measuring cup

Use a graduated transparent measuring cup for all liquids. Place the measuring cup on a flat surface and read the graduation at eye level. If

necessary, add or remove some liquid (Fig. 41).