The Fresh Loaf

A Community of Amateur Bakers and Artisan Bread Enthusiasts.

I made this

ATHK72's picture
ATHK72

I made this

I have been baking terrible loaves lately. They were like more discs than loaves. I  decided to throw out time watching and feel the dough instead. Switched out the stainless steel pan for a cast iron skillet to generate all that steam. Abe was really encouraging with his pointers. I learned plenty from Trevor Wilson's Breadwerx and videos. And from Full Proof Baking (she has amazing hands) videos. 

I think I am almost there. 

Regular Bakers Percentage Recipe

100% bread flour (i ran out of wholemeal flour)
2% salt
20% starter (100% hydration) 
72% water

6 hours autolyse with salt added.
Hand mixed the starter in.

The rest of the process below is a guess as I did not track. I only recalled I did the autolyse on Friday, mix on Saturday morning before heading to work, baked on Monday.

SnFx2 with 20mins interval.
Bulk ferment in fridge. Remove, shape, back into the fridge again. 
Bake direct from fridge at 240dc, 20mins with steam. 
Reduce to 230dc, 20mins. 

But I dozed off and the timer didn't go off, I think it actually baked at 230dc for 30-40mins.  

 

 

 

Comments

alfanso's picture
alfanso

Great great crumb.  And my favorite, a thick dark crust.  Just my style!

congratulations.  Now...how to become consistent!  What to do, what to do, what to do?

The wealth of knowledge and help on TFL can't be overstated. 

ATHK72's picture
ATHK72

Thank you! And you are right. Consistency will be my next challenge. 

Abe's picture
Abe (not verified)

attach a photo of this beauty at the head of the post so it can appear on the front page. We all need to see this lovely bake.

Just perfect in every way.

ATHK72's picture
ATHK72

Head of the post refers to the Forum > Sourdough and Starters?

Abe's picture
Abe (not verified)

 

ATHK72's picture
ATHK72

Ah! Got it. Will go do so now. 

Abe's picture
Abe (not verified)

Excellent. One day I hope to be able to make a loaf as nice as this.

ATHK72's picture
ATHK72

I am sure you can and you will! I went from a Terry Pratchett Disc World prop to a loaf. 

David R's picture
David R

Sometimes a slight accident (dozing through a timer) can be lucky - I bet you wouldn't have had the courage to let it get that brown, if you'd been awake. ?

ATHK72's picture
ATHK72

Bingo! I read Ken Forkish book... "bake till dark". And had always removed it when I thought it was dark enough. This is the darkest by far. And it does wonders to the flavour!

hreik's picture
hreik

You aren't almost there.  you are THERE

ATHK72's picture
ATHK72

Thank you! 

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

and I also learnt a lot from Trevor's Champlain loaf in particular... I still use it now in different variations....That is a beautiul loaf! Happy baking! Kat

ATHK72's picture
ATHK72

Thank you! I will be trying that loaf soon. =)