I have a bread machine but don't use it much anymore. Mostly because we don't eat as much bread as we use to. In the winter it is nice to come home to the smell of baking bread! Bread from the machines tend to have a uniform texture.. Where hand kneaded bread varies. I love the artisan breads so I like hand kneaded bread more.
I like the fleshmsn yeast recipes.. They worked for me. I like to used different flours.. Not just white. Bread flour (has more gluten) is a great base to start with.
To pay for the fancy features.. Just think if you would really use them. The main one I would use is the delay.. So the bread would be done when I got home yum!
To make a nice Italian bread you would have to bake in an oven... Te trick I found is to put a pan of water in the oven ..the moisture is what gives the crust!
good luck and have fun.
__________________ Shinja mom to  Remy  lil Sis to   Bailey and Sammy  |