You should always use fresh ingredients. The reasons are:

FLOUR. If you have stored your flour for a long time, it may have become wet from absorbing moisture, or dry, depending on the area of the country in which you live. We rec- ommend using fresh bread flour.

YEAST. Fresh yeast is probably the most important ingredient in baking bread. If the yeast is not fresh, your bread may not rise. It is better to buy new yeast than to take a chance on yeast that has been stored for a long time.

You can test the freshness of your yeast. Simply fill a cup with warm water, then add and stir in 2 teaspoons of sugar.

Sprinkle a few teaspoons of yeast on the surface of the water and wait. After 15 minutes, the yeast should foam and there should be distinct odor. If neither reaction happens, the yeast is old and should be thrown away.

A D D I N G R E D I E N T S I N O R D E R

Read all recipes from top to bottom, and remember:

-FIRST, liquid ingredients

-SECOND, dry ingredients

-LAST, yeast

C H E C K THE DOUGHBALL

This is a secret well known by people who make bread the old-fash ioned way. While hand kneading the mixture, they adjust the con- sistency of the dough by adding a little flour or a little water until the doughball is just right.

Although the breadmaker kneads the dough for you, this secret is still true. Here’s what you should do.

Page 27
Image 27
Sunbeam EXPRESSBAKETM Breadmaker user manual E C K the Doughball