I figured it was time to make some Rye bread so I converted my whole wheat Desem starter to a Rye sour starter using a 3 step build. I ended up making way more starter than I needed, but I rather have some extra than run out like I did the last time I made a rye sourdough bread.
I also wanted to use some fresh coffee in place of the water as I have done in the past with some good success so I decided to use some Kahlua flavored coffee. I don't even like to drink coffee unless it is iced coffee, but I do have to say this variety of coffee smelled awesome.
I like the taste spelt flour adds to bread and I thought it would make a good addition to a rye bread so I used a small amount in this bake and also use First Clear flour which is a standard ingredient in Jewish style rye. You can use bread flour if you don't have any First Clear and it will come out fine.
This bread includes a simple soaker using cracked wheat and bulgur which makes for an interesting flavor profile.
I have to say the final bread came out excellent with a nice fairly open crumb, dark crisp crust and fairly moist and flavorful crumb. If you decide to try this one I don't think you will be disappointed.
Starter Build 1 (Note: this makes a lot of extra starter so you can reduce the quantities if desired)
79 grams Whole Wheat Starter (Mine is 65% Hydration Starter)
113 grams White Rye Flour
143 grams Medium Rye Flour
258 grams Water (85 - 90 degrees F.)
Mix seed with water to break up for a few seconds and then mix in flour until the starter form a smooth dough consistency. Put it in a lightly oiled bowl and loosely cover and leave at room temperature for at least 10 hours. The starter should double in volume. Put the starter in the refrigerator for up to 1 day or go to step 2 immediately.
Build 2
Add ingredients below to starter from above and mix until incorporated. Cover with plastic wrap and let sit at room temperature for 10 hours and either go to step 3 or put in refrigerator for up to 1 day.
143 grams Medium Rye Flour
84 grams Water
Build 3
Add ingredients below and mix. The starter will now be much firmer and should be pretty dry since it is now a 65% hydration starter. Let it sit at room temperature covered for at least 10 hours and then refrigerate or use immediately.
143 grams Medium Rye Flour
28 grams Water
Soaker
50 grams Bulgur Wheat
50 grams Cracked Wheat
200 grams Boiling water
Mix ingredients with water and let sit for 30 minutes to an hour or overnight if preferred covered with plastic wrap. Before using in final dough, drain water and reserve for use in final dough.
Final Dough
425 grams Rye Starter from above (If you already have your own rye starter refreshed you can skip building process above)
400 grams First Clear Flour
130 grams Spelt Flour
35 grams Wheat Germ
125 grams Water (80 - 90 degrees F.)
255 grams Kahlua coffee (80 - 90 degrees)
18 grams Sea Salt (or table salt)
8 grams Walnut Oil
Procedure
Mix the starter with the coffee and stir to break it up. Next mix in the soaker and the flours together with the water and mix for 1 minute. Let the dough autolyse for 30 minutes to an hour in your bowl covered with a cloth or plastic wrap. Next add in the salt and oil and mix on speed #2 for 4 minutes. The dough should have come together in a ball and be tacky but not too sticky.
Next take the dough out of the bowl and place it on your work surface. Do a stretch and fold and rest the dough uncovered for 10 minutes. After the rest do another stretch and fold and cover the dough and let it rest for 10 minutes. Do one more stretch and fold and put the dough into a lightly oiled bowl and let it sit at room temperature covered for 2 hours. After 2 hours you can put the dough into the refrigerator for 24 hours or up to 2 days before baking.
The next day (or when ready to bake) let the dough sit out at room temperature for 2 hours. After 2 hours form the dough into your desired shape and put them in floured bannetons, bowls or on a baking sheet and let them rise covered for 2 hours. Score the loaves as desired and prepare your oven for baking with steam.
Set your oven for 500 degrees F. at least 30 minutes before ready to bake. When ready to bake place the loaves into your on your oven stone with steam and lower the temperature immediately to 450 degrees. It should take around 20 - 30 minutes to bake until both loaves are golden brown and reached an internal temperature of 200 - 210 degrees F.
Let the loaves cool down for at least an hour or so before eating as desired.
