October’s offer has sent me down a bit of a bread-making rabbit hole, so this month I’m talking all things bread and dough. But I’ve gone well beyond a basic loaf! I’ve got some tips to help you get better results with your dough, more unusual bakes to try, and even a few things to make in your Thermomix to spread, dip and slather over your freshly baked bread.
Bread & Dough Basics
There’s something incredibly satisfying about making your own bread, and with your Thermomix doing the mixing and kneading, it’s much easier than you might think. Whether you’re completely new to bread making or already have a favourite recipe, understanding a few of the basics can make all the difference to your dough. Here are a few simple tips to help you get great results and give you the confidence to experiment with something new.
What kind of dough are you making?
Not all doughs are the same. A simple bread dough is usually based around flour, water, yeast and salt, while enriched doughs contain ingredients such as butter, milk, eggs or sugar, giving you softer, richer breads such as brioche and sweet buns. Then there are pizza and flatbread doughs, which can become far more than pizza. Once you’ve found a dough you love, think about different ways you can shape, fill or top it.
Let Thermomix do the kneading
Dough mode uses clockwise and anticlockwise mixing to replicate kneading by hand. Just two minutes using Dough mode is equivalent to around ten minutes of hand kneading, so this is one part of bread making where you really can let Thermomix do the hard work. Just make sure it’s well back from the edge of the countertop and you keep an eye on it as the kneading function does make it move!
Give yeast a helping hand
Yeast needs warmth, but too much heat isn’t helpful. Cookidoo recommends proving dough somewhere draught-free at around 24 to 27°C. If you’re unsure whether an older packet of yeast is still active, there’s a handy test too: mix it with warm water and a little sugar, then check whether it becomes frothy and bubbly.
Don’t rush the rise
Rather than relying completely on the clock, look at your dough. Many recipes are looking for it to approximately double in size. How quickly that happens will depend on the dough and the temperature of your kitchen. Fermentation mode can also create controlled conditions for proving when needed.
Dough isn’t just for bread
Pizza dough is wonderfully versatile. Think beyond a round pizza and use it for things such as dough balls, filled breads or other savoury bakes. It can also be worth making extra dough while you’re already at it; pop it in the freezer, ready for next time.
Make it your own
Raisins, nuts, grated cheese and olives can be added after kneading, followed by another few seconds of kneading to incorporate them. That’s an easy way to turn a basic dough into something a bit more interesting.
Featured Recipes
There’s so much more to bread making than a standard loaf. Once you’ve got the basics of dough making sorted, there’s a whole world of breads, sharing bakes and sweet treats to try. All of these recipes, and a whole bunch more, are available on Cookidoo – Thermomix’s recipe platform.
If you want something impressive to serve, the Chorizo, Mozzarella and Sun-dried Tomato Pull-apart Bread and Pizza Monkey Bread are firm favourites.
Who knew that you could make Pretzels yourself? Perfect to have as a snack, or a batch of Pepperoni Pretzel Bites could be on your buffet table.
And it’s not just savoury bread! You can try a Sweet Monkey Bread, Sweet Breakfast Bread or make your own Cinnamon Rolls.
Baking with the Sensor
When you have the Sensor, it takes some of the guesswork out of baking by monitoring the temperature at the centre of your bake and letting you know when it’s ready. If you’ve ever wondered whether your bread really is cooked through, the Sensor can do the checking for you. When it comes to bread, here are a couple of recipes to get you and your Sensor started:
Make Your Bread Even Better
Your Thermomix doesn’t have to stop once the bread is in the oven. Make something for dipping, spreading or slathering over warm bread while it bakes. Give Pesto, Houmous or Garlic and Herb Butter a go for extra flavour. If you added some dough balls here, it’s starting to feel like a certain pizza joint’s dough ball platter 😉
I’d love to see your dough creations; you can share your successes and ask questions in my Facebook Community.