April 14, 2012 - 1:13pm
My first sourdough bread
After i read the instructions for making the sourdough starter I decided to give it a try. Now I have a lively starter stored in refrigerator and 2 days ago I baked my first loaf of sourdough bread. I used a basic recipe of flour, salt and water with a little canola oil.
2 cups of white flour 1 cup of whole wheat flour 1 tbsp canola oil 1/2 tsp salt water to knead (sorry due to my old habits i didn't measure water) I left the dough to rise for 7 hours after the kneading it for 10 mintues. I folded and pulled the dough 2 times before shaping the loaves. I divided the dough in three, 2 loaves and 1 part for Kougin Amann. Let the 2 loaves sit for 3 hours again while I made Kougin Amann with the rest of the dough. I then slashed the top of loaves about 1/2 inch deep and put them in a 250C oven for baking 15mins, since the loaves were small I thought this setting was enough but I think I should have baked them a little less The air pockets were small, inside was a little chewy and the sourness made my tongue tingle. I love its taste sooooo much. The crust was crunchy exactly the way I like it. For my first time I think I did good but I would like some opinions how can I improve my bread baking skills. I would also like more air pockets, a little less sour and thicker crust. Please give me a few tips. I plan to bake again after 2 days. The Kougin Amann I baked was delicious and sorry no pictures cuz I ate it when it came out of oven. Couldn't hold myself back. I folded the dough with butter inside, rolled and folded, repeated the steps again with sugar. I didn't add apples or any fruit. I brushed honey over it and sprinled a lot of sugar on top before putting it in oven. The sourness and sweetness was honestly divine. Next time I want to add fruit. PS: I didn't measure water because in India we make flat/unleavened bread almost everyday that it has become a habit for me not to measure water and get the dough's consistency to my liking. I really need to learn to measure the ingredients instead of doing it by habit or instinct (in my case). --Syd.