Susan's Loaf- variations on a theme
I have had my best sourdough success using a recipe posted here By AnnieT. The recipe is from Susan in San Diego. You can find it here [1].
A couple days ago, I wanted to bake sourdough and needed the loaf to be finished by 6:30. I started it in the morning and didn't have time for retarding n the fridge and the I wasn't sure the dough would rise. I decided to play with the recipe. I always double it because it disappears so quickly. I then added a scant 3/4t of instant yeast and I used extra virgin olive oil. The dough got 2 stretch and folds in 20 minute intervals and rose to double during its 4 or so hours in the fridge. I also decided that the rosemary/thyme combo that ehanner used sounded good so when I shaped the loaves, I added them to one loaf when it was stretched out before shaping. The herbs ended up somewhat swirled throughout the loaf. I left them in the fridge again for about an hour in linen lined baskets, then removed them for a while before slashing and baking. They were baked under cover for 15-20 minutes and then an additional 15 or so. I made one unplanned change- I forgot to turn down the oven whenI put the first loaf in. I got lucky- it turned out fine, just a little too done on the bottom.
These loaves had some of the best oven spring I've had yet. The crust was thin and crispy and the herbed loaf had a light scent and delicate flavor. The first picture is the one that cooked at 500 for almost the whole time. The second got treated right with the reduced temp. I have so much trouble with pictures, I apologize for not including a crumb picture. It was not open and holey, but not dense either. It had a uniform texture and was just what I was looking for.
Thank you everyone for all the great advice and stories you share here. I see why you find it so much fun to challange yourselves with different recipes. This was a blast.
Marni
sourdough loaf with rosemary and thyme
Second loaf