The Fresh Loaf

A Community of Amateur Bakers and Artisan Bread Enthusiasts.

When the Cat’s Away, the Mouse Bakes… A Lot

GSnyde's picture
GSnyde

When the Cat’s Away, the Mouse Bakes… A Lot

My wife, Cat, is away in Australia on business.  Yes, my wife’s name is Cat, which may cause some confusion because we also have a cat.  But the cat’s name is not “Wife”, which would make it even more confusing…and be pretty weird.  Especially since one of my wife’s many nicknames is “Wife”.

Anyway, I’m stuck in boring San Francisco while she’s off traveling the World.  So, I have to find a way to entertain myself.  And what entertains me these days is baking.  So, here’s the plan:

IMG_2057

It’s now Friday night, and I’m on schedule.  Last night I mixed the levain, toasted the walnuts and soaked the cranberries for Cranberry-Walnut Bread, based on the SFBI Raisin-Walnut Bread that David blogged on (http://www.thefreshloaf.com/node/21289/walnut-raisin-sourdough-bread-sfbi-artisan-ii).  I have made that bread with raisins (http://www.thefreshloaf.com/node/21384/sfbi-walnutraisin-bread-–-northern-version) and thought it might be even better with dried cranberries in place of the raisins.  This morning I mixed the dough—the cranberries were a bit watery, but it all worked in with extra kneading.  I let it ferment while I started my work day (many hours on the phone and email). Oh, yeah, I also mixed the levain and poolish for proth5’s new baguette formula (aka “Bear Baguettes”).

The Cranberry-Walnut dough rose like crazy even though the dough temperature was below the prescribed 78-80F.  I think my sourdough starter might have rabies (Is that possible? Anyone?).

During a self-imposed lunch break, I pre-shaped and shaped the Cranberry-Walnut loaves, one batard and one boule.   The loaves also rose more quickly than I would have expected.  During a self-imposed coffee break  (a delicious macchiato), I slashed, steamed and loaded.  By time my 3:30 call started, the loaves were cooling.

By time that call was over, I was hungry, and I happened to have some cream cheese--the perfect topping for this bread.  Totally delicious!  The crust is toothsome, the crumb is tender, the cranberries are tart and chewy and the nuts are nutty!  A good bread.

IMG_2053

IMG_2054

Later, the poolish and levain for the Bear Baguettes (maybe we should just call them “Beargettes”?) were ready.

IMG_2059

I mixed the baguette dough ‘til massively shaggy, let it autolyse 45 minutes, and mixed it up gently…a light mix as David and Pat have recommended.   I found that my initial mix had not been adequate to incorporate the flour, and there were small clumps of dry flour.  But I didn’t panic.  I put on my “c’est la fleepin’ vie” hat, tried to hydrate the whole big ball of dough without over-mixing, and covered the bowl.  If it doesn’t all work out, I’ll know better next time.  Besides the flour clumps, the dough felt great.  And after the stretch and fold, it seems silky and strong.

‘Nuff for now.   More to follow.

UPDATE:  Saturday Eve

My attempt at proth5's new baguette formula (http://www.thefreshloaf.com/node/20831/starting-get-bear) is out of the oven, cooled and tasted.  I retarded the dough overnight, let the dough come to room temperature for a couple hours, shaped, glued on seeds, proofed 90 minutes, slashed and baked at 475, using Sylvia's steaming towel technique.

The flour is 100% Central Milling's Organic Artisan Baker's Craft with Malt (except the tiny bits of WW and Rye in my mother starter).

The result is gooood. Crispy on the outside and airy-chewy on the inside.

IMG_2061

IMG_2068

 

I had said earlier maybe we should call these "bearguettes."  But since I had most of one with a dinner of lamburgers, I think they are "baaaguettes".

Tomorrow I bake the big SFBI miche.

Glenn

 

Comments

dmsnyder's picture
dmsnyder

You hadn't been posting today. I'm relieved that you have been productively occupied, phone calls and e-mails notwithstanding.

David

Mebake's picture
Mebake

Nuts In bread are perefect pairs, Lovely Glenn!

Its a shame you can't get enough lighting to show that beautiful crumb! I suggest you edit the crumb Picture removing the orange hue, and increasing brightness/Gamma.

 

LindyD's picture
LindyD

I agree the orange hue doesn't do Glenn's breads the justice they deserve.  So I swiped a photo and ran it through Picassa.

Returning it now:

A pretty boule just got prettier.  Apologies to you, Glenn, for doing a lighting edit without your permission.  

GSnyde's picture
GSnyde

You have my thanks.  The lighting in my kitchen leaves much to be desired, and with the way my camera is set, the colors do get skewed.

Could Picasa even up my boule shaping?

Glenn

breadsong's picture
breadsong

Hi Glenn, how nice to see your latest handiwork (looks scrumptious!)
from breadsong

arlo's picture
arlo

Organized and excellent! Nice post Glenn.

Can't wait to see the baguettes!

Mini Oven's picture
Mini Oven

Mine tend to be underfoot near the end of baking.  Looks like you could use a drink.  :)

wally's picture
wally

under the most interesting set of "conditions."  The crumb looks delicious - nice balance of walnuts and cranberry and probably superb with your cream cheese.

Looking forward to seeing the baguettes!

Larry

GSnyde's picture
GSnyde

I realize I didn't say enough about the flavor of this bread. It has more depth and complexity of flavor than any other bread I've baked (except perhaps the Crust & Crumb Miche I made with Central Milling Type 85 flour).  The measure of whole wheat and rye (about 20% and 10% respectively), and the fruit and nuts, make for a delightful taste adventure.  I'm sure the alchemical magic of SFBI's formula plays a role, too.

I will continue to experiment with this bread.  I'm considering replacing the medium rye with pumpernickel.  I think that will bring this bread closer to my ideal, which is Acme's Cranberry-Walnut (I need to ask an Acme baker what they put in that bread; I bet he'd tell me).

Thanks, Larry.

Glenn

teketeke's picture
teketeke

It looks a beautiful loaf!  Your baking schedule book is very neat, too. 

Happy baking,

Akiko

GSnyde's picture
GSnyde

I appreciate your comments. 

The baguettes are being baked in two batches. Full report coming soon.

Glenn

Franko's picture
Franko

A very pretty boule Glenn! Love your choice of dried cranberries over boring old raisins to go with the walnuts instead. Your house must have smelled fantastic as it was baking!

Franko

GSnyde's picture
GSnyde

I supplemented my original post above with pictures of the "Bearguettes".

Glenn