Sourdough Seed Bread

This week I tried my hand at the 'sourdough seed bread' from Bread by Hamelman. This is the first time I have attempted this loaf, however I am yet to be displeased  with a single recipe from 'Bread', and so fully expected to be satisfied with the outcome… I was not disappointed.
The dough was a little tricky to work with and tried its best to make a mess of my Kitchen Aid mixer… I take no pleasure in reporting that it accomplished this task with vigor! The mischievous ball of flour, water and seeds insisted on climbing its way up the dough hook, all the way up to the moving parts… Needless to say, much time was spent by myself and my very patient girl friend to undo my mess.
Attempted destruction of a kitchen aid aside, the endeavor paid off. The loaves baked up beautifully with a thick crunchy crust. The toasted seeds add a wholesome deep flavor to the bread which can be enhanced even further by toasting your slice first! The crumb was relatively open and even, however I feel this is the one area that I may be able to improve on a second attempt… possibly increasing the hydration slightly to achieve a more open structure.

Happy Baking,

Ben