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Fig and almond SD

Ru007's picture
Ru007

Fig and almond SD

This is the first time I’ve tried adding anything to my basic SD loaf. The formula is based on Alan’s Fig and Pecan loaf (I couldn’t get pecans so I made do with what I had!). 

http://www.thefreshloaf.com/node/45670/double-scoring-figpecan-ww-levain

I really don't like figs, or at least i remember hating them when i tried them. But when i tried nibbling on one, the taste really wasn't as objectionable as i remember, so i decided to give it a go. 

 Here’s my formula:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Final dough

 

Weight (g)

%

 

Weight (g)

%

Levain

 

             150

 

43.48%

 

 

 

Water

 

245

 

71.01%

 

319

75.82%

Flour

 

345

 

100.00%

 

421

100.00%

white

270

 

78%

 

 

340

80.78%

w/w

75

 

22%

 

75

17.82%

rye

 

 

0%

 

6

1.40%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salt

 

9

 

2.46%

 

9

2.02%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Add ins

 

87

 

25.22%

 

87

20.67%

Figs

45

 

13%

 

 

45

10.69%

Almonds

22

 

6%

 

 

22

5.23%

Sunflower seeds

20

 

6%

 

 

20

4.75%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total dough weight

             836

 

 

 

836

 

 I used a 100% rye starter to build the levain. 

Method:

I pretty much did what Alan did!  Except:

  • I did an overnight autolyse.
  • I didn't do the FFs. I just did a set of 4 stretch and folds at 30 minute intervals for 2 hours. I then left the dough for about 2 hours at room temp, then pre shaped, shaped and retarded for 18 hours.
  • I toasted my seeds and almonds before adding them to the dough and I soaked the figs in hot water for about 10mins before chopping them up to add to the dough.

 Verdict:

This is not the prettiest loaf I’ve made (my scoring went a bit wonky) and, to me, it looks like I may have under fermented this one, but that’s something I can fix next time.

Here's the crumb shot:

Overall, I’m really pleased with how this one turned out. The crumb is really soft and moist (probably due to the figs) and the most important bit… it tastes great! No offensive fig taste here, just a subtle sweetness through out the loaf...mmmmm.... The almonds got a bit lost, but the sunflower seeds are definitely there! 

 Happy baking to all!

Comments

dabrownman's picture
dabrownman

but now they are some of my favorite add ins for breads.  I know exactly how this one tastes - and it is very tasty indeed!  Crust and crumb look dandy too!  There you go spreading your bread baking wings again:-)  Well done and happy baking.   

Ru007's picture
Ru007

I can tolerate dates. Prunes... not yet. But hey, i didn't think i would manage very well with figs either. 

I'm trying to be a bit adventurous. I'm seriously thinking about that minced onion rye!

Happy baking :)

dmsnyder's picture
dmsnyder

Why do you think it's under fermented? Is it because the crumb isn't more open? Your crumb is actually quite open for a SD bread with all those solids added. In fact, I think it looks indistinguishable from perfect.

David

Ru007's picture
Ru007

that's very kind of you :)

That's exactly what i was thinking about the crumb. I wasn't all too sure what to expect. But i'm glad i got what i should have gotten :)

Ru

alfanso's picture
alfanso

Congratulations on crossing over to the dark side by using figs!  The bread is so open and lovely.  If anything, my desire is to bake this one dark, but to each his/her own.  Also, as you've done here, as well as trail runner, is to follow my friend's mother's advice: make some small change from the original to make it something all your own.

alan

Ru007's picture
Ru007

To bake it a bit darker (like you said in your recipe), but i chickened out. I'll try pushing it a bit further next time!

Thank you for the compliment and the awesome recipe! 

Ru

PalwithnoovenP's picture
PalwithnoovenP

I can't comment on how it tastes but it looks delicious. I never had figs. What do they taste like? are they close to a date or prunes?

Ru007's picture
Ru007

That's very kind of you.

When I tasted the figs raw they reminded me of dates. Once baked, the taste is different. I can't really describe it but it's not very strong, it's more of a background sweetness.

Looking forward to seeing more of your interesting creations!

Isand66's picture
Isand66

Nice bake!  good looking crumb as well.  Like your improvisation.

 

Ru007's picture
Ru007

I'm learning more and more that bread dough can be quite forgiving, so its fun to kind of wing it once in a while :)

Thanks for the compliment.