The Fresh Loaf

A Community of Amateur Bakers and Artisan Bread Enthusiasts.

Toasted Oat SD

Ru007's picture
Ru007

Toasted Oat SD

 Hello friends!

So, I haven’t been around for a (long) while. My last post was my last bake. Really, it’s been that long. You know when life just gets so …. blah… you can’t actually see straight? I’ve had one of those. Maybe not everyone can relate, but I think nearly everyone here can relate to this, “passion is an incredible alarm clock”. [I know someone will call me out for replacing the “purpose” with “passion”, but whatever.] For whatever reason, we all have a fiercely passionate attachment to our bread baking. It’s not the be all and end all of our lives, but that doesn’t invalidate the passion. 

My point is, at some point I had to decide to “never let a stumble in the road be the end of the journey”.  So what happens when fear has a show down with passion? Its just a matter of time before the alarm clock sounds and passion wins. I started a journey here, had a stumble, and yet here I am.

So the next chapter starts in familiar territory. Partly because this one of my absolute favourite loaves and partly because after such a long time without baking, my (old) starter (which I had dried over a year ago) and I needed to kind of dip our toes in the water first. So I didn’t really change anything from the formula below:

http://www.thefreshloaf.com/node/48894/oat-porridge-sd-third-time%E2%80%99s-charm-%E2%80%A6

I did add a little less water, I usually hold back about 20g of water from the soaker just so I can see how the dough feels. This didn’t need anymore water.

 This loaf was an exercise in patience. Its getting cold here. Yesterday was particularly miserable, so things were happening very slowly. There was a lot of dough watching during the fermentation and sitting on floor next to oven anxiously while it baked (I know I'm not the only one who does this! LOL!), but here it is. 

And the crumb... 

Feeling kinda rusty, but I'm just happy I to baking again!

Thank you all for the warm reception, I know I kind of just fell off the face of the earth! I’m so glad to be back, you have all been thoroughly missed. And hello to all those who have joined in the last year, I'm looking forward to getting to know all the new faces.

Happy baking!

Ru

Comments

Danni3ll3's picture
Danni3ll3

of you feeling rusty, then watch out when you hit your groove! That’s is an amazing loaf. I just love everything about it and that crumb is gorgeous!!

I am thrilled to have you back and posting! *Hugs!*

Ru007's picture
Ru007

You're too kind. Hugs to you too :)

Ru

hreik's picture
hreik

Wish I could taste it.... I'm so glad you are back and baking again. 

I'm starting to hold back water even in breads w/o soakers....

Ru, I cannot tell you how many times bread baking has helped me to cope with life's challenges.  Sometimes I felt I couldn't bake and didn't.  But when that light peeks through and that glimmer of it all happens, baking then can actually help.

Hugs from afar.
hester

Ru007's picture
Ru007

You're such a gem! 

And I 100% bread baking is such a blessing. There's just something about it... 

Hugs all the way from South Africa :)

Ru

dabrownman's picture
dabrownman

bread is hard to hide:-)  Never forget that the 3 things that lead to failure in all things - every time -  are Fear, Pride and Ego!

Glad to see you are back and posting no worse for wear.

Happy baking Ru007

Ru007's picture
Ru007

I'm so glad you liked the post. 

I'll remember that ... no fear, no pride, no ego!  You're such a legend ;)

Happy baking to you too. 

Ru

Cedarmountain's picture
Cedarmountain

Hi Ru!  So happy you are baking again and from what you have shared in your post, back from a significant life challenge... I am glad you decided to “never let a stumble in the road be the end of the journey”!  And your bread, that is a delicious looking loaf, beautiful crust and lovely crumb.  Welcome back Ru.

Ru007's picture
Ru007

From the bottom of my heart, thank you! For everything. 

Ru

Isand66's picture
Isand66

You haven't missed a beat!  Excellent crust and crumb.  So glad to see you back and Baking again. 

Regards,

Ian

Ru007's picture
Ru007

That's very kind of you :) 

Ru

alfanso's picture
alfanso

"My last post was my last bake". Boy, you didn't lose a step.  Welcome back and a lovely lovely bake.  Like Bali Ha'i the dough may call you any night, any day.

alan

Ru007's picture
Ru007

LOL!! Oh yeah, I heard the dough calling and couldn't ignore it!

Ru

Elsie_iu's picture
Elsie_iu

that you seem to have improved in making bread when you haven't been baking for over 1 year?

That's a quite pick up from where you left off. I'm sure there's a lot more of great bakes to come!

Ru007's picture
Ru007

You're too kind! 

I spent a good amount of time reading my old formulas, just trying to get back in the zone! I'm so excited to start baking again, I've got more ideas than time! 

Happy baking! 

Ru

leslieruf's picture
leslieruf

it is a joy indeed to have you back baking with us.  I so wish we were not all so far spread around the world, heaven knows what would happen if we all actually met up at once....  hugs from me too

the crumb on your loaf is beautiful.  happy baking Ru

Leslie

Ru007's picture
Ru007

Ever been to a dinner party where there's one thing on the menu... bread? I think that would be us in the same place! LOL!! 

Hugs, hugs, hugs! 

Ru

PalwithnoovenP's picture
PalwithnoovenP

and lovely food for thought. It took some time for me to digest it. I also made a major leap last year that I am still pursuing up to now. Don't know where it will bring me but we'll see. Glad to see you back and posting my friend! :)

Ru007's picture
Ru007

Thank you so much! I'm so glad to hear from you. 

Its funny how we all go through different things in life and yet here we are, still baking! I wish you all the best in whatever challenges you may face.

Happy baking friend! 

Ru

not.a.crumb.left's picture
not.a.crumb.left

and I can totally relate to what you say.....and I also totally agree with Leslie and would it not be nice if we all could arrange a get together with all our breads and life stories and learning to share! Well, at least we have 'virtual' space here...Kat

 

 

Ru007's picture
Ru007

I appreciate your kind words.

You're so right, lets not underestimate the power of a digital community. 

Happy baking

Ru

trailrunner's picture
trailrunner

Gorgeous crust and crumb. I am definitely going to give this one a try. We love all things oats. Hard to believe it is cold and miserable there LOL ! We have had so much heat this Summer . And way to dry in our part of the state. Happy Baking RU

Caroline