The Fresh Loaf

A Community of Amateur Bakers and Artisan Bread Enthusiasts.

Christmas Rose and Tree 2012

ananda's picture
ananda

Christmas Rose and Tree 2012

Christmas Rose and Tree 2012

 

We were supposed to be doing this on Saturday, but had to delay as we had such a sad day yesterday having to put our special and much-loved cat Shuffles to sleep, and sort out a suitable burial in Ingram Valley beneath the Cheviot Hills.

Our neighbours, Anna and Mark came round this afternoon and we enjoyed a pre-Christmas Feast, of essential Mediterranean bias.   Whilst I made lots of food, Alison decorated our very impressive Christmas tree; quite the finest tree we have ever had here in Ananda.   Here are a couple of photos:

 

We had Rosemary Roast Potatoes and Fassolia, which used Borlotti Beans and was cooked slowly for several hours to pack in the flavour.   I also made Spanokopita, with home-made filo pastry; Breadsong’s take on the “Christmas Rose” took the table centrepiece.

I used the formula posted by Breadsong, with a couple of significant alterations.   Firstly I used a Biga instead of making a Straight Dough.   I also used Fresh Yeast instead of Instant Yeast, no sugar, just a tad less salt, and a trifle more water.   This is my formula:

Material/Stage

Formula [% of flour]

Recipe [grams]

1. Biga

 

 

Marriage’s Organic Strong White Flour

33.3

200

Fresh Yeast

0.3

02

Water

20

120

TOTAL

53.6

322

 

 

 

2. Final Dough

 

 

Biga [from 1]

53.6

322

Marriage’s Organic Strong White Flour

51.7

310

Marriage’s Organic Strong Wholemeal

10

60

Bacheldre Organic Dark Rye Flour

5

30

Water

45

270

Salt

1.7

10

Fresh Yeast

2.5

15

TOTAL

169.5

1017

 

 

 

% pre-fermented flour

33.3

-

% overall hydration

65

-

% wholegrain flour

15

-

FACTOR

-

6

 

The link to her post is here: http://www.thefreshloaf.com/node/31325/rose-christmas  Compliments also to the original poster who Breadsong references in her post.

A few photos of the food and the bread are below:

 

Well, it’s not far away now.   We still have much to do in this household before the holiday season begins.   Alison has a busy week at work.   I have a lot of baking to do.   It’s Alnwick Christmas Farmers’ Market on Friday.   Anna has agreed to help me out on the stall, and she is great at selling.   So I’m going all out to make more than ever to offer for sale.   Stollen and mince pies are the festive offering to accompany the usual range of breads which I have posted many times on TFL before: Gilchesters’ Farmhouse and White, Moscow Rye, Black Pumpernickel, Eric’s Favourite Rye, Spelt Hadrian Bread, Sourdough Seed Bread, Five Grain Levain and the Brazil Nut & Prune Bread.

The exciting news for the New Year:

Firstly Nigel and I are doing Hexham Farmers’ Market twice a month.   Additionally I have more work back in Leeds and hope to be up in Dunbar soon again too.   Additionally there is work aplenty to do expanding the bakery side of “Bread and Roses”.

At long last an image of a Rose made into a loaf of bread to publicise “Bread and Roses”.   Breadsong, thank you very much for posting this.

Very best wishes to you all

Andy

Comments

varda's picture
varda

celebration dinner.    Your rose came out so nicely especially as pictured at bottom.   (Somehow is blindingly yellow at top.)    Great news about all your business / baking opportunities.   

I did a lot of milling and sifting today, and am planning to bake a version of your  Maslin and Linseed loaf tomorrow.  

So sorry to hear about your cat. 

Varda

ananda's picture
ananda

Hi Varda,

Thank you for your very kind words.   You are right; the photograph really doesn't do the loaf any justice; my apologies, it's a bit of a disappointment for me too.   It's quite a splendid creation to have a go at, by the way...a lot of fun, and not that difficult either.

So, for your Maslin flour, what proportion of rye flour are you using?   It's best to use a Light Rye, and I think I explained that the wheat flour is "middlings"...I think "First Clear" flour has something in common, although not identical by any means.   I look forward to reading your post; good luck!

Very best wishes

Andy

varda's picture
varda

that middlings are similar to first clear.  The other day I made Eric's rye.   Since I didn't have first clear flour, I used a combo of my middlings and King Arthur bread flour.    I think it was a good substitution.    For my version of your bread I used a ratio of 1.4 to 1 rye flour to middlings.   I used medium rye instead of light, as that's what I have.    I have it posted now.   Would be interested in your suggestions if you have a chance.  -Varda

ananda's picture
ananda

Ok Varda, will comment on your post shortly

Andy

yozzause's picture
yozzause

Hi There Andy

Just a quick thankyou for all your great posts and contibutions for us all on TFL and wishing you and Alison a GREAT CHRISTMAS even though it will be tinged by the loss of a loved pet,

i remember your very friendly and affectionate cat whan we called in and saw you, they give so much and ask so very little.

It sounds as though you will be very busy and i am extremely pleased things are going well for you. Best wishes from Australia for a good christmas and an exciting new year ahead.

regards Derek

 

ananda's picture
ananda

Hi Derek,

Thank you so much for your very kind words.   It's a pleasure to be part of TFL.

You are right, Shuffles gave us so much, and the only thing she wanted in return was warmth, food and affection.

The New Year possibilities continue to develop.

My very best wishes to you and Judy for the Holidays, and for 2013

Andy

bakingbadly's picture
bakingbadly

Sorry to hear about Shuffles.

Nonetheless, I wish you and your family (and friends) a happy Christmas.

Zita

ananda's picture
ananda

Hi Zita,

My best wishes to you for the Holidays, and for 2013

Andy

dabrownman's picture
dabrownman

Sorry to hear about your apprentice Shuffles :-( 

Breadsong's post must have created a whole new Holiday tradition all over the world to go with those beautiful Christmas Trees like yours. 

Merry Christmas

ananda's picture
ananda

Hello DA,

Yes, it's odd that my first practical class teaching in Leeds in the New Year is Lardy Cake, which involves the same lamination, cutting and braiding as the Rose.   Sadly it's a pretty grim product, especially at the side of a Red Pesto Rose!

My best wishes to you for the Holiday and for 2013

Andy

Franko's picture
Franko

Hi Andy,

What a splendid looking dinner you put together for your dinner party, accompanied with your lovely version breadsong's Rose bread, it all looks delicious! So sorry to hear about Shuffles, rather a sad note in an otherwise happy and exciting time for you. Congratulations to you and Nigel for securing a spot at the Hexham FM! I recall you mentioning your application to Hexham from a previous post and wondered what the outcome of that was. Good to hear that you have another iron in the fire and wishing you both a great deal of success with that venture.

All the best,

Franko 

ananda's picture
ananda

Hi Franko,

Thank you so much for your kind words.   Sadly the photo of the Rose is not a good one; the real thing was a lot better to look at of course.

Yes, there is a lot to look forward to, which is very good and exciting.   But there is a void about the house; Ananda has a tinge of sadness at times.

Very best wishes to you

Andy

breadsong's picture
breadsong

Hi Andy,
Please accept my condolences - I'm very sorry to hear about Shuffles.
I hope it was comforting to spend time with friends, enjoying their company and what sounds like lovely Mediterranean foods (especially the rosemary-roasted potatoes, and home-made filo).

So very happy you've found a Rose for 'Bread and Roses'! :^) I love your version of it, so colorful!
And what a beautiful Christmas tree - many compliments to Alison.

You must be very busy this week getting ready for the Christmas market. I hope you enjoy the holidays, and it is so good to read of the exciting ventures and all you have to look forward to in 2013!
:^) breadsong

ananda's picture
ananda

Hi Breadsong,

Thank you very much for all your kind comments.

I have been baking for 3 days solid for the Market, and a final day tomorrow.   The range I have made is the most extensive yet, with 9 different kinds of bread.   Mince Pies are made, and tomorrow I'm making Stollen!

Have yourself a great Holiday, and my Best wishes to you for the New Year

Andy

Mebake's picture
Mebake

I'm glad that you have plenty of contributiona to do in farmer's market, and in the bakery too. A lovely adaptation to breadsong's rose bread. What a pleasure it must be to be immeresed in dough for The weekend! 

I wish you and yours a happy christmas, Andy!

Khalid

ananda's picture
ananda

Hi Khalid,

Alison sees that I'm at my happiest when I get to bake...tomorrow is the fourth consecutive day!

Thank you for all your kind words Khalid

Have a really wonderful Holiday, and all the best for 2013

Andy