[compostqueen]

Wow, a whopper!   

I don't rise my bread with any warmth Scribbler, just in the kitchen or overnight when the heating's gone off and it still rises well.  I like the slow rise as it improves the taste.  I think the texture is closer too

[compostqueen]

I've got a sourdough on the go at the moment, and because I've got a heavy cold, I need extra flavour so I've added some MARMITE to my already malty loaf (being made with malted granary flour and with added malt extract (the gloopy stuff). I really fancied it and I reckon it will make great toasted as "soldiers" to eat with my boiled egg. 

[Mrs Bee]

I thought you were in trouble with WW for eating too much bread You are incorrigable CQ.

I have almost stopped making bread at the moment, 'cos I just can't resist it but I am getting withdrawal symptoms reading this.

Homemade bread is soooo wonderful.

Have got some winter festival mincemeat bread going at the moment for OH. He has to slice and freeze it quickly.

[Mrs Bee]

I applaud your stoic will power. I wish I had it.

 Only OH in our house eating bread at the moment and I just want to bake.

It is a good job I am out selling again. At least my punters are still eating cake and glad to see me baking again.

[compostqueen]

I have it cooling on the rack as I type. I am at WW class in the morning so I have to exercise utmost restraint and not try it before after my return from weigh-in. I'm going to have boiled eggs and toasted soldiers.  I am having to imagine what it tastes like but it certainly smelled fab. Marmite scents wafting all over the house 

[GrannieAnnie]

Marmite eh?  hate the stuff personally, but Brian loves it.  I have got a recipe for marmite scones, but of course can't make them for him until he loses some weight! 

[Mrs Bee]

If you have some mincemeat you could try adding it to a sweet loaf, about a 100g and some mixed spice and it makes a lovely sweet bun loaf that is great toasted for breakfast, so my OH says.

[GrannieAnnie]

No you can't!  Judging by his performance on the diet front, scone day could be a long way off 

Yep, scones are definitely a long way off!  Also my daughter is losing weight, and Brian's youngest son and DIL are on WW, so when they come up, everything is slimming style!   

[GrannieAnnie]

Oh I know.  Like you I feel that dinner isn't quite complete without a little dessert! 

Tonight Brian had some low fat creamed rice and I had some of my easiyo yog with a little spoon of honey mixed in and a quarter of a small tin of mandarins.

[GrannieAnnie]

Yes, I always drain the fruit and I have lots of sf jelly in the cupboard too!  And the sf angel dessertt ype things, although I'm not so keen on them, but again it adds a little variety!

[compostqueen]

I used two dessertspoonfuls of sourdough starter mixed with a beaten egg and a few grains of sea salt to make breakfast pancakes this morning, with blackberries and blueberries, trickle of honey over (I just zapped the fruit for literally seconds until the juice began to ooze)

[GrannieAnnie]

ooooh sounds yummy! 

[compostqueen]

The starter can be used for pittas and all sorts of bready things Grannie. I fancy giving pittas a go actually. I like a challenge 

[GrannieAnnie]

I've never tried making pittas, but I did have a go at naan bread the other month.  I froze half of them, but I think I spread the others out too much, they could have been a bit thicker I think! 

[Scribbler]

Did Paul Hollywood's pitta breads over the weekend. Overcooked them.

Also did a spelt sourdough starter/white flour loaf. Overproved it.

Also did a Dan Lepard white tin loaf. This rose massively like the first one I did, and then flopped over on the blind side of the tin. So I didn't spot this till I took it out of the oven.

Bit of a disaster really. But hey ho, these things happen. And all tasted yummy.

If you try his pittas, make sure you don't over do them. Mine puffed up too much and were a bit brown...