It's got a shorter and better ingredient list than any of the other loaves that I've had recently, and although it's a bit pricey at £2.95 I do think that buying better but slightly less bread could be the way forward for me.
It's absolutely beautiful on the day that you buy it, slightly tougher but great for toasting on subsequent days, but unlike the Ancient Grains bread that I used to buy from Aldi, before it was discontinued, it does not last for a full week.
The downside I guess to the fewer ingredients that were no doubt unhealthy, but did aid the bread's keeping power. I found this out when I picked my loaf up this morning and it was as hard as a brick. So I decided to use the old 'refresh technique'.
It came out lovely and soft, soft enough to have for lunch with some tasty coleslaw that I had also bought from Booths. The bread, coleslaw and a pack of round buns that we took for a packed lunch after the mammoth clearing session at Mum's last week, are the only new foods to have come into my home since before Christmas.
I'm having a really good go at living of the contents of my food storage at home instead of spending any money ... and thinking about it I haven't actually spent any money on food as Alan paid for these along with his shopping.
Two weeks into January and not a penny spent!!
And there's no need to worry about wasting that large sheet of tinfoil either, as with all tinfoil that is relatively clean after it's first use, I wiped it down and left it to dry on the worktop. It will be used at least once more before going into the bin.
I have quite a large supply of clingfilm and tinfoil now, and so does my brother, as it seems Mum had a bit of penchant for buying the two, or asking my brother to buy them for her without checking her cupboards, and there was a lot to share out between us. 😀
Sue xx
I've never heard that tip for refreshing bread before. One tip I will definitely try to remember, especially as that loaf looks so delicious.
ReplyDeleteI'm back to careful meal planning here. It makes things a lot less stressful for me. Xx
That bread refresh method is genius! Thank you for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteI have found my father's clingfilm baking paper and foil cupboard... that's me supplied for the next five years.
I've tested that refreshing tip before, and it really works. We have more bread eaters in our house, but I still slice every bread and put half of it to the freezer - you never know how much bread they want to eat, and when. Don't want to take a risk for it to go stale. And I store all bread in plastic bags - I know it's not recommended by most bakers, but I'd rather loose some flavour than get brick hard bread.
ReplyDeleteWhat it is with cling film and tin foil with old folks? I We emptied in-laws' house last summer, and there was half a dozen of both! No need for me to buy any cling film for at least ten years, I really don't use it much.
Ulvmor
Thank you for that tip!
ReplyDeleteBuying less but better bread is definitely the way to go if you are able. I feel for anyone trying to feed a family with the price of good food now. Maeve xx
ReplyDeleteIf my bread is stale, I cut a slice and give it a few seconds in the microwave, which works the same way as your oven blitz. Or you could slice the loaf and freeze it, and just take out a slice when you need it.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how long one can refresh bread - how many times, I mean.
ReplyDeleteI tend to slice my bread and freeze it so it's always fresh - I just take out what I need for that meal and it doesn't take long to thaw if you don't want to toast it. And it saves me from having an extra slice 'because it's there and it's nice'! xx