Bread Machine Portioned Herbal Breads!

These pre-portioned mixes for the bread machine are the eighths item that are ready for the Christmas gift baskets.

(Check out this hub for more details about the Bakers dozen gift baskets. I've also added the links at the bottom of the hub)

http://hubpages.com/hub/Christmas-giving-on-my-mind

I prefer to make bread the old fashioned way from scratch but when I know the family is not coming home for awhile and it's just going to be me it's not worth to make up a full big batch. That's when the bread machine comes in quite handy. All of my friends including my daughters have and use the bread machine.

Some of the recipes that come with the machines are quite good but as usual I decided to tweak them this way and that by adding and taking away and now I think they almost taste as perfect as the ones made from scratch.

The nice thing about using a bread machine and these ready portioned recipes is that you just empty them into the machine, add the fluids, set the timer and then go to bed to wake up to the awesome scents of fresh bread.

This bread is perfect on it's own or can be used as a garlic bread to go with Spaghetti and a Caesar salad or as the bread for the Bruschetta (see  http://hubpages.com/hub/Homemade-Bruschetta-Spice-Mix ).

• 3 3/4 cups flour
• 2.5 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 2.5 teaspoons sugar
• 1.5 teaspoons of salt
• 2/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1.5 tablespoon dried parsley flakes
• 2.5 teaspoons dried onion flakes
• 1.5 teaspoons of dried chives
  
• 1.5 teaspoons dried oregano flakes
• 1.5 teaspoon dried basil flakes
• 1 teaspoon
  
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder (not garlic salt)

Mix all ingredients and pour into plastic bags or jars (make sure the jars are totally dry). A label or card need to be included giving the instructions.

Combine in bread machine

• 9 ounces water
• 2 ounces milk
• 3 teaspoons olive oil

Add flour and herb mix, set machine to french bread settings and follow your machines instructions re: time etc.

Enjoy...

This is a luxurious loaf that is just perfect when you have a sweet yet not so sweet craving. Spread with  cream cheese it's a meal  when nothing strikes your fancy.

• 3 3/4 cups of flour
• 4 tablespoons of sugar
• 4 tablespoons dry milk powder
• 2.5 teaspoons of active dry yeast
• 3/4 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup sultana raisins
• 1/2 cup blanched sliced Almonds
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
  

Combine in bread machine

• 9 ounces water
• 2 ounces milk
• 2.5 tablespoons butter or margarine

Add flour, fruit and nut mix, set machine to raisin bread settings and follow your machines instructions re: time etc.

Enjoy...