Homemade Basic Bread

So here I have a breadmachine, who I named Elephanette today.

Maybe she should be a Mammoth instead.

This bulky machine, takes up my counter space, in the most awesome way.

Elephanette bakes bread. 

Woah. Happiness right there.

Take up all the counter space you need girl! 

Honestly, the size is a little inconvenient for our humble kitchen. BUT, still happy, cause Mama has the chance of having homemade bread. 

It did take me 3 months to get a proper loaf of bread. I kept getting hard, rubbery densed bread because I wanted a wholemeal option. One attempt was alright when I added unbleached flour and wholemeal flour together, but still wasn't good.

My dear sis-in-law (brother's wife aka Babyclopedia aka Fashion Goddess) then gave me a little tip, use milk instead of water. I loved the sound of milk in bread, my oh my, how rich it would be, YUM.

At the same time a recipe from Joycescapade popped up on my news feed, Light Buttermilk Bread. I got super excited as I did have some buttermilk left in my fridge, only to find out later that it had expired before its due date. Bummer.

So I studied Joyce's recipe a little and made a few changes, using what I have. It was another risk fooling around with the quantity of fresh milk I had because buttermilk is much thicker. 

Well, I fooled it right this time. Just look at this beauty.

It is not soft as store bought bread, but its soft enough for me. Plus the husband (who loves soft breads) and Bubs approves! 

I used a couple of organic ingredients like organic unbleached flour and wholemeal flour, however it is not necessary. Only reason I went for organic is so that Bubs can have some too, he loves bread!

Recipe adapted from Joycescapade.

I have arrange the ingredients in sequence for my Tesco Breadmaker.

1 1/4 Cups of Fresh Milk (room temperature)
2 tbsps of Honey

4 tbsps of Butter (room temperature)
1 Egg (lightly beaten. Any eggs would do as long as its size is grade A or B)
1/2 tsp of Salt
1 3/4 Cups of Unbleached Bread Flour
1 1/4 Cups of Organic Wholemeal Flour
1 1/8 Tsps of Instant Yeast 

Bread Machine Settings
Basic, Light Crust, 2lb (900gm).

Tips
It terms of liquid used, in this case fresh milk, it should not be too cold or hot as it may disrupt the growth of yeast. I usually zap it in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds to get it to room temperature. 

For Yeast placement, make an impression with your knuckle on top of the flour. Pour in yeast granules in the impression.

Don't be afraid to open the breadmaker lid (I was, haha!) during its kneading process to check on the consistency of the dough. It should be slightly sticky when touched.

Plus it is a good time to scrape off flour stuck on the sides into the dough, using a rubber spatula.

After the bread is done, let it cool on a wire rack before slicing. Don't leave it in the breadmaker for too long, condensation will take place.

Bread stays fresh and soft for about 2-3 days. Pop it in the freezer if you like to keep it for a week or two. 

Doesn't the thought of a preservative free bread make you want to jump for joy at the most random moments as you go about your day? Yes yes!

Go on and give a try, let me know how it turns out!

Kisses of homemade bread from Elephanette and That Skinny Elephant.

Homemade Baby Cereal - Brown Rice

Packaged cereals.

How does that sound?

Preservatives. Thickeners. Artificial sweeteners, Fortified with vitamins and other stuff which I can't pronounce.

Thank goodness for organic versions these days. Gives all the mamas and papas some peace of mind. Especially when we are travelling and working parents.

My brother reminds me once in awhile,  'if you can't understand the ingredients,  are you sure you would want to put it in your tummy?'
I of course went blah and straight to my koko krunch thank you very much.

Now I have a baby.
And I'm a stay-at-home-mama.

Got me thinking, I should use this opportunity to make homemade food for Bubs whenever I can.

Hence I joined this group on Facebook called Healthy food for babies. Such a great group with friendly advises and nutritious meals for little ones.

I was inspired by Jennifer Lee (a nutritionist who started the fb group) to make my own cereals.

To grain or not to grain?

If you are skeptical about whether or not to introduce grains, here are links to two very different opinions;

First Step Nutrition

The Healthy Economist

Bubs has been on breastmilk, fruit & vegetables pureè the past 2 months. I'm comfortable at the idea of introducing grains now as a another complementary meal, emphasising more on broths, yolks, fruits and vegetables. 

I start by purchasing organic brown rice. Brown rice are unpolished hence it nutrients has not been stripped down. Some of the nutrients it carries are as follows:

• Fiber
• Selenium
• Vitamin B (various)

Took out a cup full and soaked it at room temperature for about 7 hours.

Later, I gave it a rinse, spread it on a tray and popped it in the oven at 180 C  till it turn brown. Other options are to dry pan-fry it or leave it out under sun.

Finally cool it and blend. Store in a air tight tupperware in the fridge for a week or so.

Blend longer if you wish to achieve a powder form. I want it grainy.

Easy!

It's pretty simple, only the soaking takes up time.
Why I soaked? The brown rice cereal will be easier to digest for lil gentle tummies. Soaking applies to any grains introduced e.g. brown rice, millet, quinoa, etc.

To cook, all you gotta do cook it like you normally would do with rice. Add water according to your preference, how runny or thick you want it to be.

Brown rice and broccoli puree

In this era, it's really a challenge purchasing food as natural as possible. Organic fruits, vegetables, oils, cereals, etc., are all pretty expensive in this part of the world. Plus with some unreliable sources from the medical professionals and I-just want-to-make-money marketing & advertising schemes, we really are on our own aren't we?

As parents, we all do our best, and I feel it's okay if we succumb to random purchases once in awhile. I wasn't a breastfed baby, ate all sorts of stuff and I turned out fine...or at least I think so. Tee hee.

I'm sending a virtual pat on your back for always doing what you can for your lil gems. All Mama's and Papa's only want the best.

Have a wonderful Sunday.

Kisses and warm hugs from That Skinny Elephant.