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PAge heAder.....
PAge heAder.....
BREad - tHE VItaL INgREdIENtS
Vital ingredients for bread-making
Flour is the most important ingredient used
for bread making. It provides food for the
yeast and gives structure to the loaf. When
mixed with liquid, the protein in the flour
starts to form gluten. Gluten is a network
of elastic strands that interlock to trap
the gases produced by yeast. This process
increases as the dough continues
kneading and provides the structure
required to produce the weight and shape
of the baked bread.
White wheat flour sold as baker’s, bread or
plain flour may be used. Plain flour is most
readily available, however, best results are
obtained with flour at least 11% protein
content. For this reason, the recipes in this
book requiring bread flour have been made
using flour with 11% protein content. This
is normally indicated on the packaging. Do
not sift the flour or use self-raising flour for
bread making unless indicated in the recipe.
When using a low-protein, plain, stone
ground or wholemeal flour the quality of the
bread can be improved by adding gluten
flour.
There are several brands of bread or
bakers flour available nationally at larger
supermarkets. It is a high protein, white
bread flour, with 11% protein.
Wholemeal wheat flour
contains the bran,
germ and flour of the wheat grain. Although
breads baked with this type of flour will
be higher in fibre, the loaf may be heavier
in texture. Lighter textured bread can be
achieved by replacing 160g of wholemeal
flour with white bread flour.
Rye flour
, popular for bread making, is low
in protein so it is essential to combine rye
flour with bread flour to make the bread rise
successfully. Rye flour is traditionally used
to make the heavy, dense Pumpernickel and
Black Breads.
Gluten flour
is made by extracting the
gluten portion from the wheat grain. Adding
gluten flour can improve the structure and
quality of bread when using low-protein,
plain, stone ground and whole meal flour.
Bread mixes
contain flour, sugar, milk, salt,
oil and other ingredients such as bread
improver. Usually only the addition of water
and yeast is required.
Bread improvers
are available nationally in
supermarkets and health food stores. The
ingredients in a bread improver are usually
a food acid such as ascorbic acid (Vitamin
C) and other enzymes (amylases) extracted
from wheat flours. Adding a bread improver
will help strengthen the dough resulting
in a loaf that is higher in volume, softer in
texture, more stable and has improved shelf
life qualities. A simple bread improver can
be a crushed unflavoured vitamin C tablet
added to the dry ingredients.
Sugar
provides sweetness and flavour,
browns the crust and produces food for
the yeast. White sugar, brown sugar, honey
and golden syrup are all suitable to use.
When using honey or golden syrup it must
be counted as additional liquid. We have
successfully tested granular ‘Splenda’ brand
low calorie sweetener as a sugar substitute.
Powdered milk
and milk products enhance
the flavour and increase the nutritional value
of bread. Powdered milk is convenient and
easy to use (store in an airtight container in
the refrigerator).
Low fat or skim milk powder can be used
with good results. Soy milk powder can also
be used but produces a denser loaf. Fresh
milk should not be substituted unless stated
in the recipe.
BREad - tHE VItaL INgREdIENtS
Salt
is an important ingredient in bread
making. In the dough, salt increases water
absorption, improves kneading, strengthens
the gluten development and controls
fermentation of the yeast which results in
improved loaf shape, crumb structure, crust
colour, flavour and keeping qualities. As salt
inhibits the rising of bread be accurate
when measuring.
Fat
adds flavour and retains the moisture.
Vegetable oils such as safflower, sunflower,
canola, etc. can be used. Butter or margarine
can be substituted for oil in recipes but may
give a yellow coloured crumb.
Yeast
is used as the raising agent for the
breads and requires liquid, sugar and
warmth to grow and rise. Dried yeast has
been used in the recipes in this instruction
book where appropriate. Before using
dried yeast always check the use by date,
as stale yeast will prevent the bread from
rising. ‘Tandaco’ brand yeast (available
nationally in most supermarkets) was used
in the development of all yeasted recipes
contained in this book. Smaller packets of
bread mix usually contain sachets of yeast.
Larger bulk bags of bread mix usually do
not include the yeast sachets, however
the corresponding brand of yeast may be
purchased separately.
Some bulk and imported yeasts are more
active, therefore it is recommended to use
less of these yeasts. Yeast may also be more
active in hot weather. For information on
other brands of yeast relating to quantities
contact the manufacturer listed on
the package.
Rapid rise yeast is a mixture of yeast and
bread improver. Brands will vary in strength.
If wishing to substitute for yeast in a recipe,
omit the bread improver. Rapid rise yeasts
should not be used with bread mix as bread
improver is already included.
Water
from the tap is used in all bread
recipes. If using water in cold climates or
from the refrigerator, allow water to come to
room temperature. Extremes of hot or cold
water will prevent the yeast activating.
Eggs
can be used in some bread recipes
and provide liquid, aid rising and increase
the nutritional value of the bread. They add
flavour and softness to the crumb and are
usually used in sweeter types of bread.
Other ingredients
such as fruit, nuts,
chocolate chips, etc., required to remain
whole in the baked bread, should be
suspended in the dough. These ingredients
should be gradually added during the
kneading and before the dough rises for the
first time.
For more information about bread mixes
please contact the relevant number listed
below. Or refer to contact details on the
packaging of the bread.
