On Sat, 5 Dec 2020 11:55:01 -0800 (PST), polygonum_on_google
wrote:

snip

I struggle to understand why anyone would use a kit for bread!

Let's see if I can help you stop struggling. ;-)

I buy high quality wholemeal flour, dob in a bit of salt, pour some olive oil in, mix fresh yeast and water (cold), pour in water/yeast mixture. Leave 10 to 20 minutes. Knead. Either cover and leave for however long, or put in refrigerator overnight. Knock down, shape, put tins.

Well, from my POV that would be at least good 5 reasons I prefer the
kits I'm given ... ;-)

Allow to rise.

Yup.

Cook.

Check.

In my view, the flour contributes about 90% of the flavour.

Yeah. Mate has given us several of their different offerings and we
prefer the straight whole grain version.

What I am now buying makes bread that is far, far nicer than any I have previously made - or even found in a bakers. The smell. The taste. The texture.

We prefer this whole grain for the same reasons but don't mind a small
commercial wholemeal loaf in between for a change. Not quite so
'filling'.

All outstanding and that is near enough zero credit to me.

Well, without your efforts there would be no bread. ;-)

Instead of a kit, use the money on the best quality flour.

Sorry, use the what ... ? ;-)

Don't pay for yeast, get it from Tesco.

Ok, I won't, (to either). ;-)

If I wanted all the faffy bit I could probably get as much good
quality flour as I wanted (for the same price) but if it was any more
involved / effort than what I do now, I wouldn't bother.

The instructions say:

Tip flour into a bowl, add 300ml of warm water and mix for 5 mins.

(I just mix till there is no dry flour left).

They say then leave for 5 mins, kneed for 5 mins, leave for 5 mins,
then form into shape for tin, cover and place in warm place to prove
for ~30 mins, bake for 30 mins.

I mix, kneed for a bit, shape and put in tin, prove, bake. I've tried
it all sorts of ways (inc kneeding for 20 mins) and it makes no
difference whatsoever. ;-)

While the jug and bowl were out and dirty, the oven warming and the
bread proving, I made and baked a tray of 'fruit and cinnamon'
flavoured rock cakes. ;-)

Cheers, T i m