New to breadmaking a few simple questions
Welcome me. I stumbled across this site and I am amazed that I found this. Tons of great info here. Thanks!
Ok, my questions.
1. Do I need to buy a couche or something like this to get more height to my French Baguettes? Most of my baguettes are rising well, but they seem a bit flatter than normal.
2. I use a mizture of 1/4 wheat flour and 3/4 bread flour and have been hacing good results. How does one use all wheat? Its always a brick.
3. I am also a homebrewer. I use all grains to make beer. I began making a few loaves using spent beer grains. Does anyone have any recipes for this?
4. I am currently using King Aruther's Whole Wheat and Unbleached White Bread flours. My bread tastes like just "bread" but if I go to an artisan bakery, they sell breads with amazing flavor and the ingredients are just bread flour water salt and yeast. What flours are better? (I also own a Corona flour mill, so I can make my own?)
Thanks!
Welcome! You have a lot of good things available to you to aid in making great bread. Now all you need is some practice.
1. You don't necessarily need a couche. A lot of the height comes from proper surface tension when shaping and oven spring which results from proper dough development. Of course, these two factors are something that comes with practice.
2. All wheat will always be heavier than a mix. It does help to do a biga with your whole wheat to soften the bran particles. The addition of some fat or egg to the dough will also help.
3. I do have a recipe in one of my books using spent grains. I'll see if I can't find it and post it for you.
4. The amazing flavor that you are seeking comes from fermentation. This is achieved by the use of a biga which is mixed the day before or by retarding your dough in the fridge overnight or longer before baking it. This allows the flours to ferment and make that wonderful flavor. Also, sourdoughs have amazing flavor and contrary to many people's beliefs, they are not always sour tasting. I have a recipe posted on my blog to make your own wild yeast sourdough starter, if you are interested in sourdough.
yet!