April 15, 2008

MetaFilter Social Explorer: pb mentioned the Social Explorer in MetaTalk and thought it might be of interest here. For example, here is a list of people on MetaFilter who list themselves as "also on" Sportsfilter: http://www.metafilter.com/contribute/socialexplorer.mefi?sid=23

read story | posted by terrapin to Navel Gazing at 4:16 PM CDT (21 comments total)

I got SpoFi set as my "Also On." Pretty cool.

posted by NoMich at 5:10 PM CDT on April 15

Neat!

posted by DrJohnEvans at 5:19 PM CDT on April 15

Speaking of MeFi, Doc, have you used your bread maker much? If you go back to my Ask MeFi thread you will see that I marked two best answers. Those two suggestions made all the difference in the world. Our bread is nearly perfect now.
I've got a cheese making thread in Ask MeFi now. We want to make as much of our food as possible. I'm about to shift into beer making as well.

posted by NoMich at 5:33 PM CDT on April 15

Thanks for the tips! I've only made one loaf myself so far (MsJohnEvans tends to hog the machine), but I'm resolved to change that. We've actually been using a good chunk of gluten flour the whole time, although I had no idea that that's what it did. We'll also be switching from active dry to fast-rising yeast tonight, so I'll let you know how that goes.

We also tend to experiment with flour blends: so far, we get good results with ⅓ regular all-purpose, ⅓ discount-brand whole wheat, and ⅓ premium organic stone-ground whole wheat. The latter is too intense to be used as the primary flour in a breadmaker, but blending like that gets you a good crunchy whole-wheat feeling while still being pretty light and fluffy.

posted by DrJohnEvans at 11:36 PM CDT on April 15

What kind of bread maker do you have?
My best have been 1/3 white, 1/3 fresh ground whole wheat and 1/3 ground oat flour (I also use a tsp of vitamin C crystals as dough enhancer). I always use bulk yeast (rather than the little envelopes). English muffins are a great use for your bread dough. I use either scalded milk or water and butter or canola for the oil.

posted by Monica Poland at 12:51 AM CDT on April 16

I have a Breadman that makes 1lb., 1.5lb. and 2lb. loaves.
I think that as much as the extra gluten helps my loaves, it was changing to the SAF Red label yeast. My loaves are now nice and airy and chewy. I made a loaf of whole wheat bread (half white bread flour for bread machines and half whole wheat flour) yesterday and we've just about eaten it up already. I can't stop making toast.

posted by NoMich at 8:29 AM CDT on April 16

Hey, guys!

This SPORTSFilter, note BREADFilter. ;)

posted by grum@work at 11:09 AM CDT on April 16

Thanks, grum. It was kind of a surreal experience reading this thread while still half asleep this morning. I did get some good info on bread machines, but I was wondering if I was on the right site!

posted by hawkguy at 12:16 PM CDT on April 16

We have the Cuisinart CBK-200, which sounds more like a piece of military equipment. Kind of looks like one, too. Apparently it also makes jam, but we haven't made it that far.

Woke up to our first overnight loaf this morning, made with the fast-rising yeast. It had risen a little funny and lumpy, but was pretty tasty.

posted by DrJohnEvans at 12:31 PM CDT on April 16

Competitive breadmaking, sport or not a sport?

posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 4:47 PM CDT on April 16

You could win a lot a dough!

posted by BoKnows at 5:02 PM CDT on April 16

It's been a sport for me to try and get that perfect loaf.

posted by NoMich at 5:02 PM CDT on April 16

It's been a sport for me to try and get that perfect loaf.

Try eating more fiber or less cheese.

posted by tahoemoj at 6:41 PM CDT on April 16

toahoemoj: you owe me a new monitor!

posted by terrapin at 7:23 PM CDT on April 16

While you're at it, pick me up a new keyboard. Mine's now tea stained.

posted by dfleming at 7:56 AM CDT on April 17

Looks impressive Dr.John. I went with a dough maker instead of a bread maker when my 1.5 breadmaker died. I have a large family so I make enough dough for 6 loaves (although I usually make pizza and English muffins instead of bread). I also have a mill so I can make different kinds of flour.

posted by Monica Poland at 10:17 PM CDT on April 17

What's a MetaFilter? Does my car need it?

posted by wfrazerjr at 9:44 AM CDT on April 21

It vibrates bunnies, near as I can tell. Plus, you need a television to get it.

posted by NoMich at 10:39 AM CDT on April 21

Did you get hitched DJE? If so Congrats.

As far as metafilter, i dunno what that is, probably too smart for my blood.

posted by HATER 187 at 8:51 PM CDT on April 21

No, it's not, Hater. It's just louder.

posted by chicobangs at 4:35 PM CDT on April 22

Even scarier. Plus the $5 sign up fee discourages me. Stoopid internet doesn't accept cash, yet.

posted by HATER 187 at 10:33 PM CDT on April 22

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