and now, introducing the newest member of the family

...the Breadman! This little machine boasts perfectly made bread every time, just add some contents, set it and forget it.

First impressions: high maintenance! I had fun measuring out the ingredients, which reminded me of my chemistry days in college. But the specificity annoyed me. 3/4 cups + 1 tablespoon of water? I'm used to cooking real time, whether stir frying or barbecue, and methods have never been THAT exact. To stress over one tablespoon of water was something unusual to me. But this was the first time, so I begrudgingly complied.

Second impression: the device is a maniac. Like, Pomeranian, honeycomb monster, gremlin, take your pick. It can't make up its mind which way it wants to turn. First right, then left. I was trying to scrape some dough off the side and it nearly took my hand off. It also is so sporadic with the speed that it nearly vibrated its way off the table it was set on. I'm going to have to put a leash on it.

Third impression: The final bread is pretty darn good, so it looks like I'm going to have to suffer and get used to it. So far, white and egg bread have been winners, and I'm going to step up to the next level tonight: coconut pineapple pound cake!