Blog posts

After seeing FlourChild’s, breadsong’s and David Snyder’s pizza posts where some of them were dessert pizzas, my apprentice just knew it wouldn’t be long before she had to try one.  But, instead of using traditional pizza dough, she used a slightly sweetened enriched dough like a hamburger bun.  We have no idea why she does these things but it is fun to watch.

Woo what a mouthful! Ciao Ciao Ciabatta!!

It’s hard to find a GOOD ciabatta.

Sure, there are lots around BUT are they good?

Mainly no.

Couldn't resist joining in all the pizza frivolity, it is hands down my favorite bread to make.  I was inspired by David's post here http://www.thefreshloaf.com/node/34452/pizza-bliss and Breadsong's post here http://www.thefreshloaf.com/node/34610/was-good-pizza, both takes on Ken Forkish's SD pizza in Flour, Water, Salt, Yeast. 

Sasauge and Roasted Red Pepper Pizza 

I wanted to make some hand-pies. We harvested the last of our peaches for the year and have lots of homemade jam. This came out great. The dough was easy to work with. The taste was great and was tender and flaky. I have had problems in the past with overworking the dough and getting tuff pastry but this was great. I brushed the tops with egg wash and sprinkled with sugar. Next time I need to try getting more uniform coating. I like the ones better that I didnt open up the pattern on top. You could even make these and freeze. Then bake from frozen for an instant pie fix.

Just wanted to post a pic of my bread at the local farmers market today.

I have baked this in the past as a yeasted recipe and thought I would try a half recipe using my SD starter.  I fed the starter 1:1:1 and 4 hours later it had more than doubled, so I mixed as per the recipe only using dabrownman's sourdough process:  knead for 5 minutes, 5 rest then knead for another 5.  Bulk proof on the counter with S&F's at 30, 60 and 90 minutes, 11/2 hours on the counter then into the fridge to retard overnight.  An hour to warm up this morning, then divide and scale the dough, pre-shape and bake.

A simple loaf…...

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Well, just to prove that my mind can get a bit fuzzy after long hours and stressful situations, for the life of me, i thought the title of this was simply "Farmer's Bread" - but it wasn't.

Some people expressed interest in some formulas, I am posting here.  These do come from a German baker's manual (I had to fire up the German translation skills...and get some help...) and I did bake at least one of them (no pictures - I'm back to my old habit of no pictures.)

First the method:

Final Mix desired dough temperature - 82-84F (yep. no typo)

My vacation has begun... with baking.  I've eyed the Arrowhead Mills Sprouted Wheat Flour for some time and decided it was time to use it.  My attempts here were directed at a solid everyday bread.  No fillers besides the 25% Whole Grain addition.  The dough is quite fantastic.  Very smooth and elastic with great strength.  It was so active and happy at the time of divide/shape I didn't dare proof it at room temp at all and went straight to the retarder for 8 hours (maybe a mistake).  Holy Oven Spring.  

http://vimeo.com/34325967 after watching this video.. inspired me to work with higher hydration confidently. 

my first 85% hydration loaves...