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The Happy Baker's blog

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The Happy Baker

Thought I'd be a little more adventurous this weekend and opted instead of my usual plain rustic Sourdough breads to bake something different. I found in my wife's pantry some almonds and honey and recollecting a recipe I'd seen somewhere decided these would be perfect for my bread. I set out with my levain starter which had been fed 5 hours previously and using organic stone ground unbleached white flour a little salt and bottled water made up my dough I left it to prove for 5 hours by which time it had doubled in size. After gently knocking it back by folding it in in itself several times I pushed the dough into an oblong shape and smoothed on the honey much as you would onto some toast then sprinkled on a good layer of Almonds. I rolled up the dough like a Swiss Roll and covered the outside of the dough with more Almonds while tapering the ends like you would a Baguette. I put the dough onto a floured tray and left to prove for another 9 hours and then into the oven for 40 minutes at 190C. 

I'm pretty pleased with the outcome you can really taste the Honey and Almonds through the bread. I will definitely try this one again, any suggestions would be helpful as usual. 

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The Happy Baker

So I thought I'd try my Home brew beer in this bread taking all your previous comments into account.

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The Happy Baker

As some of you may know I've had serious problems trying to get my Sourdough bread to rise, after posting my problem in the forum many of you guys took the time to give me some advice, for which I'm truly thankful. So for those who hadn't read my question before, here it is, and apologies for repeating myself to those who have.

 I am very new to bread baking only taking it up a couple of years ago, and like many I guess eventually found my way to the mysteries of Sourdough bread. Although I grow a very healthy starter  I am at a loss as to when I can use the starter after its last feed. I keep my starter refrigerated through the week, then bring it out to let it get back to room temperature before feeding with more flour and water, proportionately 120grms flour to 120ml water. I always use Organic unbleached white flour and only ever bottled water.

Within a few hours my starter has doubled in size and looks and smells very nice. but.....when can I start to make a new bread? while the starter is on the rise, at its peak, or when its dropping off? whatever I try, my dough always rises well in the 1st and 2nd proving  but when I turn it out of my bannetton  onto my warm baking stone, the dough just goes flat and looses all the air. the baked bread tastes pretty good but it never looks right.

I thought the problem may lay with when to feed and when to use, was I waiting too long after feed my starter or was I too impatient and making my dough before the starter had time to get going? many many many attempts later and with only some small success more by luck than judgement I occasionally  produced a decent loaf. 

So I was surprised to see the majority of replies I received all pointed to the same single thing - over proving!  All the books I have go on and on about the necessity of a long slow prove which will give me a wonderful bread?

Now I am confident with each loaf I bake that my rise will remain and not drop like a pancake. so In pictures here is my result, I admit its not breathtaking or even modestly wonderful, but to me it is a massive success which will now allow me to improve and  create better breads.

My starter after being fed some 10 hours before it is at the very top of its rise.

Mixing the Flour, Starter, Salt, and water initially in my mixer

 

After 5 minutes the Dough comes together

 

I then continue to kneed by hand for another 15 Minutes

 

Then place in a bowl to prove     

And after 5 Hours I have this...

 

After gently folding I place in my banneton 

 

and this is where I have changed my Proving time I only leave for 2 hours for the 2nd proving

 

Now its into the oven at 200 for 30 minutes

 

and here is the result........

 

my only mistake (that I know of) was not to slash the top so when I sliced the bread..

 Still I'm Very Happy. Thanks again everyone

 

 

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