Cooking Tips
 
Web World-SuperSite

Why do We Need to Knead?


Bread dough needs to be elastic in order to capture the gases created by the yeast, stretch as bubbles form in the dough, expand, and rise. Without that elasticity, bread would not have the open texture we enjoy nor would bread be chewy. But what creates that elasticity?

The endosperm of the wheat contains two important proteins, glutenin and gliadin. When wheat flour is mixed with water, these two proteins link with the water molecules and crosslink with each other as they are physically manipulated by kneading. It takes a certain amount of physical manipulation to bring these molecules into contact and create strong links. As the kneading continues and these molecules create stronger bonds, gluten is formed. It is gluten that gives the dough elasticity.

If you watch the dough being mixed with the bread hook in your stationary mixer, you will see changes occur in the dough as the kneading takes place. First the dough will stick to the sides of the bowl. As the bonds become stronger and the dough more elastic, it pulls away from the sides into a drier ball. The sides should become clean. Within four or five minutes at medium speed, the dough will change even more and become elastic as the gluten is completely formed. After you have watched this process a few times, you will be able to recognize the changes in the dough as the gluten forms. If you pinch a portion of the dough and stretch it, it should pull to a thin layer before it breaks. Without that elasticity, bread isn't good bread.

For more articles like this visit The Bakers' Library.

© 2004 The Prepared Pantry


MORE RESOURCES:

Cara Buono shares cooking tips but no 'Mad Men' secrets
USA Today
By Dan MacMedan, USA TODAY By Donna Freydkin, USA TODAY At the stove, that is, as she tastes perfectly al dente pasta that has just finished cooking. ...

and more »


Food & Wine Events
Memphis Magazine
Cooking Class - Healthy cooking tips sponsored by the Church Health Center. Thursdays, 9 and 10:30 am and 5:30 pm 259-4673. Church Health Center Wellness, ...



Cooking tips: How to make breakfast toast more interesting
Helium
Toast is a pretty good breakfast, especially if the bread is wholemeal. It is fast, easy and provides lots of slow release carbohydrates ...



Fashion (blog)

Fashion's Night Out events in South Florida
Fashion (blog)
... a performance by the Dance Theatre of Parkland's “Extreme Team;” cooking tips from Chef Andrew Gooch (Mariposa's executive chef); couture shoe preview ...

and more »


Center dishes out cooking tips
Cannon Connections
The smell of black bean sauce and five-spice powder filled the room as the Cantonese cooking demonstration began to heat up at the Airman and Family ...



Here's another chance to go learn how to make cheese
Lexington Herald Leader
The Middle Years has behind-the-scenes photographs and trivia, science-of-food information, cooking tips and recipes. Attendees at the Alton Brown event can ...



Weight-wise cooking tips
Payson Roundup
It's certainly possible to eat healthy without spending a lot of time shopping, preparing and cooking. With just a little preparation and forethought, ...



Top Stories Dates set for Idaho-E. Oregon onions on TV show
The Packer
Sherise Jones, the committee's marketing director, appears on the TV segments, and will share with viewers cooking tips and new recipes while educating ...



Jamie's cooking tips are Flintshire mum's recipe to success
The Leader - Wrexham & Flintshire news
The 35-year-old, who works part-time as a school secretary, cooks nothing but the TV chef's recipes. So she was delighted when she not only got the chance ...



Student project aids troops abroad
Amarillo.com
... including appetizers, main dishes, vegetable dishes, desserts, children's kitchen crafts, cooking tips and inspirational quotes. ...


Google News

home | site map
© 2006