The Fresh Loaf

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Grilled Cheese Party

NicholasAnthony's picture
NicholasAnthony

Grilled Cheese Party

   I'm hosting a gourmet grilled cheese party next week and I have a few questions.

 

 

So, I'm a sourdough baker and very familiarized with baking but my loaves have too open of a crumb. I'm only considering this because keeping the cheeses from coming thrugh the bread while melting. Is there a way to have a more closed crumb or maybe some method or other way to go about a great loaf without making it ultra-dense but still have a tighter crumb???

 

 

Help

HansB's picture
HansB

I have made this and it may fit the bill. http://www.breadwerx.com/make-sourdough-pan-bread-video/

Danni3ll3's picture
Danni3ll3

and degas it when you are shaping it. That should give you a tighter crumb. 

ETA: I wish most of us had that problem. We seek that elusive super open crumb. 

amyd's picture
amyd

The overflowing, browned cheese bits are the best part! My favorite grilled cheese technique is to toss in extra cheese to fry on the outside of the bread: https://smittenkitchen.com/2013/10/frico-grilled-cheese-sandwiches/

Lechem's picture
Lechem (not verified)

Danni3ll3's picture
Danni3ll3

I love cheese but I think that would make me sick!

Lechem's picture
Lechem (not verified)

He's a competitive eater as I'm sure you've figured. Came across his stuff and I'm horrified but fascinated at the same time.

Mini Oven's picture
Mini Oven

shot of the bread you would like finer?    It's mostly a degassing issue but large holes can be the result of under or over fermenting too.  Here are a few tips:

  • Reduce hydration in the recipe for a stiffer dough and dryer crumb, it will toast faster later on.
  • add all dry ingredients slowly whipping in air into a thin dough as the flour is eventually added.
  • knead well to develop gluten, use a mixer first with blades or wire, then shift to hooks when more than half the flour is incorporated 
  • degas often during the bulk rising, folding and preshaping more or less depending on dough hydration within that time frame. Look for evenly puffed up dough and don't "double" any sourdough  rise volumes 
  • The idea is to break up gas cells into smaller ones with folding so try not to trap air between folds
  • degas thoroughly before final shaping, rolling out dough and roll up into a log. 
NicholasAnthony's picture
NicholasAnthony

How do I go about degassing?

Danni3ll3's picture
Danni3ll3

and patting it firmly when shaping.