I'm in a bread baking binge right now. I've probably made more bread the last two months than the whole year before. My family loves it. They have missed homemade bread.
I tend to be a minimalist when it comes to kitchen gadgets. I hate cluttered drawers so if a gadget doesn't earn its keep, it joins the giveaway pile. I love that I can make bread without much more than a mixer and measuring utensils.
But I'm adding a new item to my list of necessary gadgets.
Ed's boss (who doubles as his brother) gave him an instant-read thermometer for Christmas. While Ed looked forward to using it the next time we made pork loin, I wondered if it would help my bread baking.
Even though I've made bread for many years, I have one problem I can't seem to improve. I often under-bake bread. I think my oven must run a little hot because if I bake as long as some recipes require, the result if over-baked bread. But in my fear of over-baking, I pull bread out too soon. Far too often I watch bread sag on the cooling rack as it collapses into a doughy center. I've had loaves that had an awful gummy hole in the center from under-baking. Such a disappointing end to an afternoon of baking.
But this winter, though I've made a number of new recipes, the loaves have been perfectly baked every time. Except this week, when I forgot to use my new handy-dandy thermometer and pulled the sticky buns (a recipe I've made many times) out of the oven too soon.
Ed's new thermometer (which I've claimed, but he enjoys the results from) is a ThermoPop. I've been impressed by its ease of use. One handy feature is the light which allow me to read it easily in the shadows of the oven. Just this week I picked up the latest issue of Cook's Country magazine and saw they were reviewing instant thermometers and ThermoPop received the very highest rating.
Just a note, though I love Amazon for many purchases, the ThermoPop is far cheaper when purchased directly from the company (ThermoWorks) than from Amazon. This is one time you can't assume that Amazon is cheaper.
What kitchen gadget do you consider indispensable?
I love my thermopop thermometer! They usually go on sale for about $15-20 so they're quite affordable. I also love that they come in bright colors - it makes it a lot easier to find it in my drawer.
ReplyDeleteI guess I'd have to say that my favorite kitchen gadget is my rolling pin. I use a lot and it has family history. My grandma's father made it for her as a wedding gift in 1928.I inherited it when she passed away.It is cherry wood and only has a tiny knick..which was there when I got it.I also have an instant read thermometer,tho'not as fancy as yours and Ed's !! Have a wonderful weekend!
ReplyDeleteSo glad I read this! Someone recently recommended buying an instant thermometer, but I didn't know what or where. This was very timely, specially with grilling season beginning. I ordered one straight from ThermoWorks, and you are right! While I am also a fan of Amazon, they were over twice the $!
ReplyDeleteI've never made bread until late January and try to make a couple loaves every Saturday. I too have had the doughy center. Will have to check this out.
ReplyDeleteBTW, what is the bread in the top photo?
Great idea! I too have suffered from undercooked bread. But how do you know what temp you need?
ReplyDeleteA lot of thermometers come with a list of temperatures for various things. Most breads are baked to 200 degree internal temperature. Sweet breads are sometimes baked to a lower temperature.
DeleteGina
I am thinking about getting the thermometer and wanted to check to see if you still like it?
ReplyDeleteI do. I use it several times a week.
DeleteGina