Living the Pantry Lifestyle - Just the quickest answer!

I had tests performed on my right eye yesterday as well as another injection.  So today I need to stay away from the computer screen as much as possible.  It is bothering my eyes too much to be able to write for long or look up links.

It turns out that my deteriorating eyesight in that eye is due to a combination of the original problems caused by diabetes, the infection, and now a cataract has developed.  Probably as a result of the infection.  My specialist is going to continue with the injections as usual and "wait and see" if the cataract gets worse.

I do want to quickly answer one question from last week.  I was asked about what kind of bread machine was gifted me and I can provide the link for that.  I baked bread in my original machine (circa' late 90s model) only a couple times.  Instead I found using the dough cycle resulted in the shape and texture I prefer.  I do the same with the new bread machine.

I add the ingredients as instructed, pop the container back in the bread machine, press the dough cycle button, and I only have to keep an eye on it for about five minutes off and on to make sure there is no need for extra liquid or flour. Usually the dough turns into a perfect ball without having to add anything (it is always easier to add extra flour than liquid).

When the dough is ready, I roll it out and then shape it into a loaf and place it in an oiled loaf pan, cover it, and let it rise again. Then it goes in the oven and usually comes out looking beautiful and when the bottom is tapped, it sounds hollow. If I error, it is on the side of over baking just a tad so it is not doughy in the middle.

If I'm making cinnamon rolls, I take the dough out and let it rise in an oiled bowl covered tightly with plastic wrap.  Quite often, I will do this in the early evening or late afternoon and pop it in the refrigerator to slowly raise overnight, ready to be rolled out in the morning to form the cinnamon rolls.  The dough is very easy to work with when chilled overnight but it can be rolled out after only doubling in size in the bowl the same day.

Having the bread machine makes it possible to have homemade bread and cinnamon rolls again even with limited energy. It only takes minutes to get everything together and added to the container, which even I can do when feeling fatigued.  That is also why I tend to make the dough one day for cinnamon rolls and finish them the next morning.  Of course, the bread is even easier when allowed to bake in the bread machine.

One trick I have found with the cinnamon rolls through the year is to place them on the baking sheet, cover with a light lint free dish towel (I have one I keep for this purpose) and to let the cinnamon rolls almost double in size before popping them in to bake.  It took me years to realize I wasn't letting them rise long enough before baking... talk about a slow learner.

So here is the link (as asked) to the bread machine I was given as a gift and it works great.  Further info... here.

I will be back tomorrow, I think.  My eye should be less sensitive to the light from the screen, then. 

Disclaimer:  Most links to Amazon.com are Associate links.