A simple rustic large loaf
I know people like to weigh and measure. I am more of a 'all loaves will be different' kind of baker and go by feel. Been doing this for 20+ years, started when the kids were little, continue along every weekend. I did pick up on the folding and autolysing ideas from this site, which i joined just a little while ago. Part of my reason, is that I also bake when we go north into the bush and lake country. I have an anodized aluminum dutch oven for that, and plenty of hungry volunteer kneaders.
I wore out my original Kitchen Aid mixer. This was a solid 10 cup flour model from the late 1980s. I kept the stainless bowls. They don't fit anything, but they are good bowls. My current KA is tilt head model, also 10 cup capacity. I have been developing arthritis so hand kneading has not been my favourite idea. Folding and autolysing makes me think I can keep this for smaller things, like noodle making and whipping egg whites and cream. So I am very glad to have found this site!
Simple Big Rustic Load
Preferment:
1/2 c spelt fl
1/2 c wh wheat fl
1/2 tsp yeast
1 cup water
mix briefly w/ mixer cover w/ wrap
5 pm
Autolyse:
2 c unbl fl
1 cup water
mix w/ spoon cover with wrap
9:30 pm
next morning 13.5 hrs later (from start)
preferment + autolysed + the following:
2 c wh wheat fl
1 tsp sea salt
1 tbsp grapesead oil
1 tbsp yeast
mix until smooth, stop
2 hours later: fold dough twice
another 2 hours alter: fold again twice
form into ball and score 3x3
into 9x9 pyrex square pan
cover
4 hours later, put 1/2 c boiling water into pan under:bake 12 mins @ 500°F convection (This is a KA convection/conventional oven, the temps are 25° higher in conventional oven on average, with times the same)
bake 15 mins @ 500°F convection
bake 20 mins @ 325°F convection
bake 5 mins @ 300°F convection removed from pan on rack
Loaf stands 6.5". Probably got an inch of oven-spring. I'll get some photos put up if I can figure out how. The crumb is close and regular, like I wanted. The crust is a little bit chewy and little bit crunchy. Also just right. I have tomorrow's preferment going as of this morning. It's 1/2 c of each of: barley flour, rye flour and whole wheat with 1.5 c water and 1/2 tsp yeast.