Last Things Last
You'll see this tip in several places in this book, but it bears repeating:
Always put the liquids in first, the dry ingredients in next, and the yeast
last (fruits and nuts are added later, after the machine has completed the
first knead). Dig a shallow hole in the dry ingredients and place the yeast
in the hole so that there's absolutely no contact between the liquids and
the yeast. This is especially important when you're using the Delay Bake
option. You don’t want the yeast to be activated too soon in the process!
Placement Counts!
Place dried fruits, vegetables, and dried spices away from the liquid
ingredients in the bread pan. If they soak up water, they can undermine
the bread’s chemistry.
Freshness First
Avoid using perishable ingredients — milk, yogurt, eggs, or cheese — with
the Delay Bake function.
Just Wait Fifteen
For best results, wait fifteen minutes before slicing; the bread needs time
to cool.
Deep Freeze
To freeze fresh bread, let it cool completely and double-bag in plastic.
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G o u r m e t B a k e r
