I am able to control the temperature of my sourdough loaves for overnight retarding and proofing and I wanted to get everyone's opinion of what you think the best temperature is and why. There has been a bunch of recent thoughts and discussion on this circulating in books and whatnot and I wanted to put this question out there to the masters.

Thanks!

Nick

I've recently jumped on the "down to basics" bandwagon. I stopped using spray oils like Pam, and bought a Misto, and loaded it with olive oil. Like everyone else, just trying to save money wherever we can! (the Misto was only $9.99 at Bed, Bath & Beyond, and think about the cost of a can of Pam -- $3 or so? Would pay for itself in a few months...)

I had used my trusty Pyrex loaf pans without a single problem for all kinds of yeast and quick breads as long as I used Pam. But now that I've stopped using Pam, the bread sticks LIKE CRAZY. I almost cried on Sunday when after all that work, my white white loaves stuck in the Pyrex. Half of each loaf was left in the bottom, even after I ran an offset spatula all the way around, and even up under the bottom, just to get the bread to unglue itself from the pan.

Any ideas? I guess I could go back to Pam, but I hated the way it left that gluey residue on everything (what is that??? it doesn't seem like it could be good for you...).

Is the the olive oil the problem? What about Canola, or just buttering or using (blech) shortening?

Thanks!

Here's a Canadian's first attempt at corn bread. It turned out extremely well. I baked them in a stoneware dish that has spaces for four loaves. The other two were promptly eaten with dinner. I wrote more about the recipe here: http://jeremyskitchen.wordpress.com/2008/05/04/corn-bread/ Any suggestions for my next baking project?