| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| grace gerber |
Posted - Apr 25 2012 : 10:08:20 AM
Ladies I really could use your help... I love making home made bread but I have been fighting for years with it molding up before I can use it all.. When I had two growing sons here it was never an issue but now that it is me I find I am giving more then half of it to the hens - don't mind sharing but this is too much.
I find if I place it in the frig (in a zip lock bag) it get's crumbly and dry. If I put it in a plastic bag in my what some call chilly log house it still get's moldy in less then a week...
I could sure use you help and experience. Thanks in advance.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.artfire.com
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| 20 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Annab |
Posted - May 13 2012 : 4:18:16 PM
It's mostly because there aren't any preservatives to slow the molding process.
This happens to me all the time even with freezing, because I get the loaves home, forget to halve them and figure they will be so good and tasty they won't mold before I will have eaten everything.
This last go-round I almost won. Bought a 7 grain loaf from Whole Foods, froze it for a few months, took it out and pretty much had the whole thing eaten ONLY to discover that we had a mouse in the house that had started to eat through the plastic bag and nibble all over the few slices of my precious bread on the counter!
SO, the chickens got the rest and lesson learned, I"ll halve and quarter freeze loaves- to make double sure NONE goes to waste!
I never have been very good at making breads myself. And I love the bird seedy types that are sold elsewhere, so lesson learned since we live 30 miles from any kind of decent artisian bread baker! |
| MrsRooster |
Posted - May 10 2012 : 05:24:32 AM
I have a terrible time with moldy bread as we live in the humid Texas Gulf Coast.
Thanks for all the suggestions here!
www.mrsrooster.blogspot.com
www.flossesandcrosses.blogspot.com
www.morganicinstitute.blogspot.com
Farmgirl #1259
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| SusanScarlet |
Posted - May 06 2012 : 12:36:13 PM
I use a homemade bread enhancer and it really makes a difference in our dry, dry West Texas climate. I make two loaves at a time and keep the extra one in the freezer in a plastic bag inside a Tupperware bread container. ONce it thaws, it's fresh. |
| grace gerber |
Posted - May 05 2012 : 07:11:24 AM
Great idea Belle - I will give that a try. Thanks for your great idea...
Kristen - I have used bread enhancers before and not found much change but will visit your site for more assistance. Thank you for your chimming in - it is greatly appreciated...
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.artfire.com
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| HepKitten |
Posted - May 02 2012 : 11:36:59 AM
Sounds like everyone's pretty much already chimed in on this one, but I did want to share a link to a homemade bread dough "enhancer" I read about a while back. I've been meaning to mix some up - supposedly it helps your bread stay fresh a little longer, among other things.
http://chickensintheroad.com/farm-bell-recipes/homemade-dough-enhancer/
Good luck. :)
Kristen - Farmgirl Sister #3858
www.farmgirlsister.blogspot.com
www.rustymoonhomestead.blogspot.com |
| Bellepepper |
Posted - May 02 2012 : 10:32:21 AM
I too live alone and have problems eating up my bread before it molds. What I have been doing lately is when the bread begins it's 3rd rise, I remove the dough from the machine and cut it in 16 equal pieces. I form buns, place them on a baking sheet for their 3rd rise, then bake them in the oven. I eat one (or 2) right out of the oven. I keep out 3 or 4 more and freeze the rest in a zip lock freezer bag. When I want to fix a sandwich or garlic toast with my meal or whatever, I take one out of the bag. My main recipe is whole wheat with flax seed. The rolls help control the portion size.
Belle |
| grace gerber |
Posted - May 01 2012 : 9:43:47 PM
I thank you all for your great ideas - I must say this new recipe is not letting me have a chance to freeze it. It is very tasty and I have enjoyed eating it all up. In fact I made another loaf again today and had two slices already. I will do the double bagging as well..
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.artfire.com
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| ptroupe |
Posted - May 01 2012 : 5:27:14 PM
I have halved the bread from the bread machine and have frozen it for 2-3 weeks and it was still good. May depend on the ingredients, though. I also did not like the green bags. Everything rotted very fast!
Portia
Wishing for the country life! |
| Annie S |
Posted - May 01 2012 : 09:39:02 AM
Grace, I have the same problem with my bread. Didn't even think about the elevation - we're over a mile high here. Will try the double/triple bag tricks next time I make bread. I use a bread machine too, but take the dough out and put into pans and then bake in oven - just didn't like the way the loaves came out of the machine. Thanks so much ladies for all the advice. |
| nanr42 |
Posted - Apr 27 2012 : 6:34:57 PM
This sounds odd, but lately I've been keeping homemade bread or locally made really good french or sourdough bread by wrapping it in a towel and keeping it on the counter. It doesn't dry out and it doesn't mold.It usually takes me about a week to eat a loaf. Well, maybe less time. I get whole wheat store bought bread and they just stay in their plastic bags. |
| MagnoliaWhisper |
Posted - Apr 27 2012 : 2:42:06 PM
Is there some one else near you that would buy at least half if not all the ingredients and you bake it, and split with them?
http://www.heathersprairie.blogspot.com |
| grace gerber |
Posted - Apr 27 2012 : 10:38:04 AM
Thanks so much Annab - I just made the best Oatmeal and Poppy Seed Bread last night but I am not sure if there will be any left by this weekend... If any left will double bag...
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.artfire.com
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| Annab |
Posted - Apr 27 2012 : 09:36:14 AM
If you do freeze the loaves or half loaves even , be sure to doube bag so you don't risk freezer burn...this applies to all the stuff you freeze. FYI better safe than sorry.
I have frozen loaves for up to a year and had them taste perfectly ok those were triple bagged. Same for cakes too |
| grace gerber |
Posted - Apr 26 2012 : 09:05:03 AM
Today in the machine I am making Oatmeal Poppy Seed Bread and it is smelling wonderful. I think I will cut it in half and freeze half for a week and then test how it turns out. I made sourcream buscuits last night - so light and fluffy and froze some to see how they turn out. One thing I have been working on is not being so dependant on my freezers. Working on less electricity dependancy.. Thank ladies for your suggestions and giving of your time
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.artfire.com
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| farmmilkmama |
Posted - Apr 25 2012 : 4:59:28 PM
All I could suggest was freezing them in half loaf sizes. Hope you can figure something out that works for you...although I'm sure those hens don't mind you sharing!
--* FarmMilkMama *--
Farmgirl Sister #1086
Be yourself.
Everyone else is already taken.
-Oscar Wilde
www.farmfoodmama.blogspot.com
www.thehmmmschoolingmom.blogspot.com |
| edlund33 |
Posted - Apr 25 2012 : 4:43:38 PM
I bake in batches so I sometimes keep bread frozen for several weeks up to a couple of months. I wonder if the elevation has anything to do with your lack of success with the green bags? I use them for vegetables too and they really work great for me, but I'm only two hundred feet above sea level.
Cheers! ~ Marilyn
Farm Girl No. 1100
http://blueskyanddaisies.blogspot.com
Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. - Ralph Waldo Emerson |
| grace gerber |
Posted - Apr 25 2012 : 3:57:04 PM
Hi Nancy - forgot to say the bread is from my bread machine. I switched to the small loaf size thinking that might help. My other problem is at my high altitude I have the best results in the machine. I even created a great bread with coconut milk that is so great textured, silky and perfect but that one goes bad even quicker and hates the frig...
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.artfire.com
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| Nancy Gartenman |
Posted - Apr 25 2012 : 1:02:17 PM
Get smaller loaf pans for baking.
www.Nancy-Jo.blogspot.com |
| grace gerber |
Posted - Apr 25 2012 : 12:26:54 PM
Thanks Marilyn - when you freeze it how long can it be in there?? As for those green bags I must have really done something wrong with them because it seems like everything I put in those bags got worse quicker. Not sure if I kept them but will go digging today..
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.artfire.com
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| edlund33 |
Posted - Apr 25 2012 : 11:14:56 AM
I struggle with the same issue Grace. I started cutting my loaves in half and freezing the second half until I'm ready for it. I've also found that keeping the bread in a special bread storage bag or veggie storage bag that absorbs naturally produced ethylene gases (Debbie Myer Green Bags brand or similar) helps keep bread fresh for several days longer.
Cheers! ~ Marilyn
Farm Girl No. 1100
http://blueskyanddaisies.blogspot.com
Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. - Ralph Waldo Emerson |
