To say that I love bread is an understatement. I live for a good loaf of bread. I love everything about it: the texture, the taste, but most of all, the aroma of bread baking in the oven just makes me happy. And I wanted that aroma in my kitchen.
Like many other beginners, I started with a regular bread machine. And that was OK for a while, but I wanted more control over my bread making.
I was ecstatic when I discovered the no-knead method — I could make my bread with a minimum amount of fuss. But it still involved washing mixing bowls, bread pans, rolling mats and sometimes a Dutch oven. Now I can make my bread from start to finish in one product.
Name of product: Lekue Bread Maker
Cost and availability: $25 to $35 from various online sources
How it works: Mix, knead, rise and bake the bread all in one container. The shape of the bread maker — partially closed with openings at the sides — is designed to let steam circulate much like a Dutch oven, so the bread is moist and still develops a nice crust.
Does it work? Yes.
Pros: Aside from the convenience of having only one item to wash, the bread itself tastes better.
Cons: The recipes that come with the product use the metric system, so you have to do a little converting when measuring your ingredients and setting your oven. Also, the Lekue Bread Maker is a little too large for my toaster oven, and I have to resort to turning on my large oven.
Worth it? Yes.
Got a gadget that you love? Or are you curious about one you’d like us to test? Email crave@staradvertiser.com or write Crave, Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza Suite 210, Honolulu 96813.
