The Fresh Loaf

A Community of Amateur Bakers and Artisan Bread Enthusiasts.

Thanks to Y'alll

bob13's picture
bob13

Thanks to Y'alll

Sometimes I surprise myself, and thanks to y'all it happened again yesterday.  I was making a batch of dough when 1- the telephone rang & 2- the door bell went off; all at the same time.  Of course by the time I got back to the mixer I had totally forgotten how much flour had gone in.  I added the rest of the "stuff", less any flour, and dumped it out onto the counter top.  I did autolyse the dry/liquid so I felt fairly confident. It looked very wet, so adding some more flour, some kneading and then the dough felt "silky and nice" to me, so thinking of y'all I said what the heck!  Sometimes the fingers know what the text book does not.  The loaves turned out great.  Both my wife and our friend who was here for dinner thought it was one of my better tries.  It just reinforced what y'all have said that measurements are important, but feel is something that can not be overrated.  I have not made a lot of bread, but enough to "feel" what I like and that is without a doubt the most valuable thing I have learned from this site.  Thank you one and all for sharing your experiences with us newbies!!!! 

dabrownman's picture
dabrownman

is a hairy hair brain and the world is busy place where we all have ti multitask I have taken a page from my closet chefing days and bake mis en place.  Nothing goes anywhere until it is all measured out and in its place.that way no matter what happens everything is always fine and dandy,

Still,  being able to know what the dough should feel like is a great fall back plan and a good enough reason all by itself to learn to make bread by hand:-)

happy baking

Bakingmadtoo's picture
Bakingmadtoo

I wish I could claim to be as organised as Dabrownman, but I am not and anyway exact measurements rarely work out quite right for me. Although I do always try to use exact measurements for a first attempt at any recipe, and unless the dough feels drastically wrong will stick with it and see what the bread comes out like. I am just beginning to understand what dough should feel like, and as you have found that is one of the best skills to have. I am glad that your bread came out so well.