The Fresh Loaf

A Community of Amateur Bakers and Artisan Bread Enthusiasts.

Rye Polenta Bread

Isand66's picture
Isand66

Rye Polenta Bread

This was a flavorful 40% rye bread made with left-over cooked polenta which had some cheese of course added to it.

The fresh milled rye flour added tons of flavor and the polenta as always made this a wonderfully moist and tasty bread.  I added some potato flour but if you don't have it just increase the amount of one of the other flours.

The crumb came out pretty open on this one and all in all this made a great grilled bread and also sandwiches as well.

 

Here is the link to the BreadStorm files:

Levain Directions

Mix all the levain ingredients together  for about 1 minute and cover with plastic wrap.  Let it sit at room temperature for around 7-8 hours or until the starter has doubled.   You can use it immediately in the final dough or let it sit in your refrigerator overnight.

 Main Dough Procedure

Mix the flours  and the water for about 1 minute.  Let the rough dough sit for about 20 minutes to an hour.  Next add the levain,  cooked polenta and salt and mix on low for 4 minutes.  You should end up with a cohesive dough that is slightly tacky but very manageable.  (Note:  if you are not using fresh milled flours you may want to cut back on the water)  Remove the dough from your bowl and place it in a lightly oiled bowl or work surface and do several stretch and folds.  Let it rest covered for 10-15 minutes and then do another stretch and fold.  Let it rest another 10-15 minutes and do one additional stretch and fold.  After a total of 2 hours place your covered bowl in the refrigerator and let it rest for 12 to 24 hours.  (Since I used my proofer I only let the dough sit out for 1.5 hours before refrigerating).

When you are ready to bake remove the bowl from the refrigerator and let it set out at room temperature still covered for 1.5 to 2 hours.  Remove the dough and shape as desired.

The dough will take 1.5 to 2 hours depending on your room temperature and will only rise about 1/3 it's size at most.  Let the dough dictate when it is read to bake not the clock.

Around 45 minutes before ready to bake, pre-heat your oven to 540 degrees F. and prepare it for steam.  I have a heavy-duty baking pan on the bottom rack of my oven with 1 baking stone on above the pan and one on the top shelf.  I pour 1 cup of boiling water in the pan right after I place the dough in the oven.

Right before you are ready to it in the oven, score as desired and then add 1 cup of boiling water to your steam pan or follow your own steam procedure.

Lower the temperature to 450 degrees.  Bake for 35-50 minutes until the crust is nice and brown and the internal temperature of the bread is 205 degrees.

Take the bread out of the oven when done and let it cool on a bakers rack before for at least 2 hours before eating.

 

 

Comments

Sjadad's picture
Sjadad

Beautiful loaf, and I applaud your resourcefulness! I bet that make a great pastrami sandwich. 

Isand66's picture
Isand66

It did make a great pastrami sandwich!

Best,

Ian

Benito's picture
Benito

Another beautiful loaf Ian, such great crumb for a sandwich.  Your garden is still looking great as well, no signs of heat stress.

Benny

Isand66's picture
Isand66

Appreciate you kind words.

Glad you like the bake and the gardens.

Best,

Ian

 

yozzause's picture
yozzause

Excellent   Ian, nice looking loaf and i was surprised with the nice crumb i would have thought it might have been heavier and the plants in the garden are looking pretty good too, Ive just had a go at grafting 6 Avacados that i grew up from seed with  scions from the mature tree next door, fingers crossed there. kind regards Derek

Isand66's picture
Isand66

Great to hear from you Derek.  Glad you like the bake.  I was very happy with the openness of the crumb.

Very happy with the plants this season.  My tomatoes did real well and I have more than I know what to do with ?.  Look forward to seeing how your avocados end up.  I love eating them with a little salt for breakfast.  Unfortunately they are not in my zone so we can't grow them in New York.

Best Regards,

Ian

Elsie_iu's picture
Elsie_iu

I'm more than surprised that you managed to obtain such an open crumb! Certainly can't tell it's got so much rye and polenta. It has to be awesome either plain or made into sandwiches. I haven't made any rye bread in a long while as the stickiness really intimidates me. Maybe it's time to get over the fear.

Love the flowers as always. Oh, and excellent photography skills!

Isand66's picture
Isand66

Glad you like the bake and the gardens.  The rye and polenta are a very tasty combo and I was very happy with the crumb.  I was thinking I should have upped the hydration to help it but it ended up being just right.

Thanks for your kind words about the photography.  It is something I enjoy and always try my best.

Happy Baking!

Ian

Cedarmountain's picture
Cedarmountain

Hello Ian,

I was glad to see your post, beautiful bread as always!  Hope you and your family are well, staying safe...your garden is an oasis of calm and beauty in a tumultuous time. 

Regards,

David

stargazer lilly...just bloomed yesterday

 

Isand66's picture
Isand66

Glad to hear from you as well.  Happy you like the bread and gardens.  It's a lot of work but well worth it.

Beautiful lilly. My wife loves lillies as well and we must have over 100 in our gardens.

Regards,

Ian