I've never used a bread machine but I do make bread from scratch every so often and my Mom makes 4 loaves a week and has done so for the last 45 years or so. She makes white, wheat, oatmeal, and Portuguese sweet on a rotating schedule. Yep, mix, rise, knead, rise, knead, pan, rise then bake. All by hand - no mixer, no bread machine. It is the best bread, awesome texture, never tough. About four hours to do - but worth it.
When proofing the yeast you don't "have" to add sugar. It will proof without the sugar. Just add the warm water and stir until the yeast disolves. Many of the old bread recipes don't call for sugar because it feeds the yeast too much. If you do add sugar in the proofing, a dash (literally just a dash) of salt will retard the yeast if you add too much sugar when you proof it. Other important facts to remember: Yeast is a living organism that likes to be warm but not hot. Your bread will rise better in a warm house. Don't store your yeast in the garage or other area subject to high temperatures, it will die. Don't add water that is remotely "hot". If the water is warmer than body temperature the yeast will die. If your yeast is more than a year old it may have died so buy new.
If I get a chance I will get my mom's recipes and post them. They are awesome. She's an old fashioned New England cook, Bread, Boston Baked Beans and Cranberry Sauce all from scratch.
When proofing the yeast you don't "have" to add sugar. It will proof without the sugar. Just add the warm water and stir until the yeast disolves. Many of the old bread recipes don't call for sugar because it feeds the yeast too much. If you do add sugar in the proofing, a dash (literally just a dash) of salt will retard the yeast if you add too much sugar when you proof it. Other important facts to remember: Yeast is a living organism that likes to be warm but not hot. Your bread will rise better in a warm house. Don't store your yeast in the garage or other area subject to high temperatures, it will die. Don't add water that is remotely "hot". If the water is warmer than body temperature the yeast will die. If your yeast is more than a year old it may have died so buy new.
If I get a chance I will get my mom's recipes and post them. They are awesome. She's an old fashioned New England cook, Bread, Boston Baked Beans and Cranberry Sauce all from scratch.