Hi all:

Just found this site and I'm so happy that I found it.

I'm new to baking...I have recently retired, and I've found

that it's wise to set up a budget if it's needed. I'm now

more aware of the situation that deals with the WANTS and NEEDS

And being more aware of dietary habits has shown that many

of my earlier favorite foods are not always nutritionally sensible.

I've always wanted to be able to bake but right now I'm

stuck...every loaf I've tried to bake so far has been a disaster.

Not one loaf has risen properly...doesn't mater which proffing,

1st or second, in a bowl or in the loaf pans. And all have been

extremely DENSE!  Very discouraging, to say the least.

If anyone has been in this situation and might possibly have

a suggestion or two, I would be so grateful. I've tried using

a sourdough that I built, kept it fed, refrigerated it when it

was puffy on top and spposedly ready for use, keeping it fed

about twice a week. I've also tried granular yeast...no luck.

Must close, thanks for allowing this ,my first post.

Sincerely,

jncameron

aka (Neil)

A warm welcome to  you, Neil.

Am sorry that  your efforts so far have been a disaster.  How about posting the recipe you've been using, in the event the recipe has some errors.

Set aside your discouragement - you'll get lots of help here.

Hi LindyD:

Thanks for your reply...I appreciate it.

About the recipe you mentioned...I got it from this website:e reads:

www.io.com/~sjohn/sour.htm

The home page reads:   Sourdouegh Baking

                                    The Basics, by S. John Ross

his recipe:

2 cups of sponge (proofed starter)

(I used his recipe to build my own starter...works great)

3 cups unbleached flour

2 TBL Olive oil or softened margarine

4 tsp sugar

2 tsp salt

He instructed...do the first proofing in a bowl, towel-covered,

for about an hour or so...put loaves in pans, put in oven and

proof again until doubled. Turn oven on THEN, (not preheated)

to 350 degrees and bake for 30-45 minutes. Test for the hollow sound,

turn out on a cooling rack. Let cool for about 1 hour...

-------------------------------------------urn out beautif

I'm sure I followed his directions for new bakers, interested

in sourdough. But alas, no luck.

I've tried numerous other simple "first-time bakers' recipes"...no luck, either.

Wouldn't it be great if I could pick up some tips/tricks and try again, and have

both loaves turn out beautifully?

I'm hoping my learning skills will happen soon...my sister wants to visit

me soon...shanks again, LindyDe's lives in RENO.   

Thanks again, LindyD...good to hear from you.

Neil  (jncameron)

I followed the link, in the recipe, it says about the dough under the towel:

Note that sourdough rises more slowly than yeast bread; my starter takes about an hour or so, but some starters take much longer. Let the dough double in bulk, just like yeast-bread dough. When a finger poked into the top of the dough creates a pit that doesn't "heal" (spring back), you've got a risen dough.

This seems to be the hardest step, waiting for this dough to rise.  The first time seems to take forever.  But it happens.

By "granular yeast," which kind of yeast are you talking about.  Is it like fine sawdust or more like little round beads?  Is it Instant Yeast or is it Active Dry Yeast?  The two activate differently which might be the problem.

You might have better luck starting out with a basic here.  Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on LESSONS and try the first one with instant yeast.

Mini