Blog posts

Hi, friends.  It's been a while since I posted.

It was almost three years ago that I made Challah using the ITJB formula for Honey Whole Wheat Challah.  That was an excellent bake.  Poofy and Fluffy and Yeasty and Delicious.  At the time, I promised myself to try that formula with Double Knot Rolls.  And this weekend I finally did.  I baked the longest acronym I ever baked…HWWCDKRs. They are very photogenic.  They tasted good, too.

This was a good roll to have with Pastrami-Spiced Barbecued Duck Legs (PSBBQDLs).

Here are the HWWCDKRs

My first Forkish style boule in a few months. I proofed seam side down and baked seam side up. The last time I did one of these the seams didn't open, so I did a classic, cross score. It looks like both seams and score lines opened up for an interesting loaf.

In 2007, after baking my way through all my old German bread baking books and Reinhart's "The Bread Baker's Apprentice", I checked for more bread formulas in the internet.

Another trip up north, but this time I'm staying home to tend to the dog.  However some baguettes will be accompanying my wife on the journey - destination in-laws, as usual.  The recent bake of Hamelman's Pain au Levain are scheduled to travel, and now these baguettes based on David Snyder's SJSD Italian Baguettes.  Next up will probably be my take on his SJSD baguettes.

I was hosting a brunch, of course I had to bake something good.  I came up with these little swirled knots of milk bread and chocolate bread.  Both are enriched yeast doughs,  lightly sweetened, rather aesthetically pleasing and very delicious.  Full instructions (with lots of photos) and ingredients are now posted on mybreadandbrot.com

Cari Amici,

quell che voglio lasciarvi oggi è il racconto fotografico di una esperienza bellissima che mi ha visto prendere un treno che dalla Toscana mi ha condotta in Veneto, al fine di aiutare una associazione di volontariato che si occupa di disabili.

Insiene a tanti professionisti del settore ho potuto impastare tanto Pane e tanti dolci di grandissima qualità...ho imparato da tutti loro tante cose importanti ed insieme a loro mi sono sentita utile verso il mio prossimo.

Una esperienza che mi sento di consigliare a tutte le persone di buona volontà....

Lucy is known for her multi grain breads with lots of different stuff added to the mix.  With the Pope coming to America this week and in keeping with his vow of living simply Lucy really tried to turn over a new leaf.  She used 1 grain only, half of it sprouted, where the hard bits were sifted out and fed to 2 different levains.

The family has been asking for fluffy white bread, so lately I have been baking very fluffy, plain white rolls (actually a hamburger bun recipe). They love it. Go figure. Did sneak wheat germ in it though.

For a change, I thought I would try adapting one of Hamelman's recipes to see if I could make a light, but more nutritious loaf that also includes some sourdough starter. So, this is what I came up with:

The night before build levain and leave on counter overnight:
Bread flour: 72 grams
Water: 90 grams
Starter: 14 grams

Putting together a college care package.  Top request was wild yeast olive bread like back home. These should do the trick and a fun way to pass on a little message too.

I've loved the feel of the Hamelman Pain au Levain dough during every phase of the prep.  French Folds, Letter Folds, shaping, couching, scoring.  And, of course, seeing what comes out of the oven as bread.

And so it was time for another indecisive bake.  Batards or baguettes.  Hmm, why not both.  Again, I've not seen this bread done as baguettes anywhere on this site before, so maybe I can start a movement.