Milk
Milk
enhances
flavor
and
increases the nutritional value
of the bread but
it
is
not a nec-
essary ingredient. Other
liquids
can be substituted (see "Water
or
Other
Liquids"). For
best
results, always bring milk,
or
other
liquid to room tempera-
ture.
Salt
Salt controls the action of the
yeast, enhances flavor and aids
in producing a firm dough. If
you are on a restricted diet, feel
free to cut the amount of salt
in
the recipe
in
half or use a
low-
sodium
salt
which
contains
both
potassium
chloride
and
sodium. You can also eliminate
the salt, but this
will
affect the
size, texture
and
taste
of
the
bread.
Fats
Any
form
of
shortening
will
enrich
flavor
and
help
bread
stay fresh longer.
Butter
Butter adds flavor.
The
same
amount of vegetable shortening
or
oil
can be substituted. Salted
or unsalted butter may be used.
Eggs
Large eggs were used
in
devel-
oping
the
recipes
in
this
booklet. If you wish to add an
egg to a recipe that does not
call
for
it,
crack egg into
liquid
measuring cup;
then
fill
with
liquid to level specified
in
the
recipe.
Y<l
cup
(2
ounces) of an
egg substitute
can
replace
1
large egg.
Oil
Vegetable,
canota,
corn,
peanut,
soy
or
sunflower oil
can be used. Unsaturated saf-
flower
oil
is a good substitute
in
special health breads. Olive
oil
produces
a
softer
crust
than
butter
or
margarine
and
is
often used in pizza
dough
to
tenderize and flavor the dough.
Peanut
oil
keeps bread fresher
longer.
Margarine
This
is
an acceptable substitute
for butter. Soft spread tub mar-
garines are not recommended.
Vegetable
Shortening
This solid,
white
shortening
gives a slightly crispier texture
than
butter
or
oil. but works
effectively.
Water
or
Other
Liquids
When the flour
is
mixed with
water or other liquids, gluten
is
formed and air
is
trapped, thus
allowing
the
bread
to
rise.
Water,
milk,
beer, fruit juices or
purees can be used as the
liquid
in bread.
Hints
for
Baking
Delicious
Homemade
Breads
1.
Use only fresh ingredients.
2. Yeast
is
the most important
ingredient
in
bread baking.
It causes the bread to rise.
Too little yeast can result
in
improper rising.
Too
much
yeast can cause over-rising
and the dough could stick to
the
inside of
the
lid;
or
it
could
collapse
during
baking.
In
the breadmaker,
yeast
does
not
need
"proofing"
or
preliminary
fermentation.
After each use. always close
yeast container tightly and
store
in
a cool, dry place.