Potato Bread

When I first received it as a wedding/shower gift, I was please with my bread machine (it's an Oster). It was fabulous for the first few years, but then my breads began going awry—even the mixes I bought—and I couldn't figure out why. So I began making breads by hand, and the machine went on a shelf. Now I've gotten it back out, and after using it for dough only, I finally decided to give it another chance. I rarely forgive, if ever. This time, the bread machine works. I guess it learned its lesson…? LOL…

Potato Bread…in the bread machine

1 1/2 c. warm water
2 T. butter
4 c. flour
1/2 c. dry potato flakes
4 t. sugar
2 t. salt
1 3/4 t. (1 packet) active dry yeast (or bread machine yeast)

1. Place all ingredients in bread pan in the order listed.
2. Insert bread pan into machine, close lid, plug in.
3. Select number for 2-pound loaf.
4. Press "Start."
5. During the mixing cycle, look into bread pan to make sure there are no dry ingredients stuck to the walls of the pan anywhere; scrape them down with a rubber spatula—carefully—as the dough ball is twirled around.
6. Wait for your bread to be done.
7. Enjoy…nom, nom, nom…

Qu'est-ce que c'est?

Qu'est-ce que c'est?
What is this? Why is this here? Why do I have this?

This looks like a hand-saw that I have in my garage—what am I supposed to do with it in my kitchen?

It's a bread knife. Using a sawing motion, the serrated edge cuts through the crust of bread without crushing the loaf. With the longer blade, you can cut through larger loaves, such as round breads, without that "double-cut" line or an uneven slice.


This knife will make short work of a bagel, too. But, I have to warn you: its blade will remain sharper than meat knives and for a longer time, if you are only using it for bread. Cut only half way through your bagel, then lie it on its side on a cutting board and finish the cut. Or else risk slicing into your palm, as my husband has done!

The one I have is made by Chicago Cutlery (drool), and it came in a set, I think. I've had it for years, which is another reason to buy a good set of knives—they will last you a long, long time. Consider it a long-term investment.

Qu'est-ce que c'est? A bread knife. An all-around good thing to have in your kitchen.