October 14, 2011 - 8:25pm
White whole wheat
I made 100% white whole wheat raisin bread today with a couple of new mistakes. I forgot to add the 1/4 C oil to the other liquids, and wondered why the dough was so stiff. I was about to add water, when I spotted the 1/4 C oil just sitting there. The dough finally assimilated the oil, but begrudgingly. The other mistake was not resting the dough after the second deflation. I just weighed them, and thought thy were flacid enough. The recipe just said divide and shape into loaves. The dough fought back, and I didn't take the hint.
I got to use my new loaf pans, which are a little longer and wider, and they worked really well. Ray
Oops, forgot to mention the bad shaping.
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Those loaves look absolutely wonderful-wonderful crumb! Nice sheen to the crust-did you use an egg wash?
Whose recipe is it, Ray? Those are beauties! absolutely scrumptious!
Excellent work, ray.
Hi Clazar 123, thanks. It makes great toast. Yes, I used an egg wash dilluted with water. I enjoyed it for breakfast today. Didn't get to try it last night, as we went out for dinner and I kind of pigged out. Our 51st anniversary was the occasion. Thanks again for your nice comment. Ray
Hi Ray
It seems like everyolne has paid more attention to those lovely loaves of yours and overlooked the comment you made about why you had been out to dinner!
51 years married? Amazing.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Richard
Hi Khalid, It's Deluxe Raisin, from Laurel's Kitchen Bread Book. Your recent post, of that great looking bread using Laurel's Basic Whole Wheat recipe, inspired me to try the white whole wheat as you did. Thanks for your nice comments. Ray
bake that high and nicely, I'd be a happy camper! I love raisin bread, and so far my attempts have been pitiful, but tasty if you can bite into it! Its very dense and chewy bread I make!
I baked four of these last week, from Reinhart's recipe, and–per usual–said, "How bad could it possibly be to add more raisins and more walnuts than called for?"
I added 1.5x of each and, Oops! Dry, dry, dry. Not even a couple tablespoons of butter slathered on a slice could save it. Not a surprise really, considering nuts and DRIED fruit almost scream, "Adjust your hydration, you Bozohead!" Alas, add a little eggs, milk, and sugar soak and grill it up as Lost Bread (i.e. French Toast) et voila: The day is saved (and the waistline expanded!).
Hi Eva. Thanks for your compliment. I used to bake white bread often, and usually braided it. The loaves were interesting shaped that way, but smaller in height, probably due to my handling of the braiding, and not giving enough time in the final proof. When I went to shaping, by rolling them up, they improved, gradually. I have also found keeping the dough wetter makes all the risings easier and faster. Thanks for your response Eva, Ray
Thanks Thomas. Four loaves, pretty prodigious. I havent tried any of Reinhart's formulas yet. In one recipe he has a soaker with the raisins in it, I think it was with all whole wheat, the Traditional I believe. He mentions the Cinnamon Raisin having some white bread flour and warns it drinks up more liquid because of it. Sometimes my all whole wheat recipes are drier without the extra additions. Thanks for the heads up though, I will eventually add walnuts to my raisin bread, and I am forwarned. I love the part about eating our mistakes, I do that a lot. Thanks again, Ray
Thanks Richard, you are so kind. It has been a labor of love. An easy 51 years. Thanks again for noticing. One glass of wine for the lady, and a non alcoholic "beer" for me. Really living on the edge. Ray
We are 20 years behind you but there are so many who do not get even that far that I couldn't let your marvellous achievement go unremarked. Not only is it a testament to your and your wife's ability to get on together but also to your health and fitness. My grandparents reached their golden wedding but were not up to a trip to a local restaurant! It is so good to hear you can still enjoy yourself - even without alcohol!
Best Wishes
Richard
Hi Richard,thank you for the nice sentiment. We are often more blessed than we can appreciate sometimes. Alcohol is not a big deal in our lives, but naps on the other hand... Anyway thanks for taking the time to post this. Ray
Hi again Richard. Couldn't live with myself if I didn't say congratulations. You must be doing many things right. The first thirty years are the hardest I think. Hang in there. Best wishes from our house. Ray