It seems that I have a problem and am unable to write a new post. I'm attaching this to the last one I did as I am able to edit my blog but they changed something and I can't find the 'new post" button. I know that I can just delete the previous blog but I like having all of my posts in order to know what I did yesterday....... So, stay tuned.....(I'm still making bread ).
I've been waiting over a month to get bread flour and yeast. My diligent
searching finally paid off and City Market came through with the flour. Amazon allowed me to buy TWO pounds of Red Star yeast at TWICE the regular price.
I've studied the basic boule' recipe and yesterday, I mixed up a batch of wet sticky dough. I had to follow the high altitude directions which gave me a lot of doubt about achieving a successful final product. I let it refrigerate over night to rise slowly ( at HA, it would rise too rapidly at room air and I used less yeast and more water)......(at the rate of 1/2 TBSP of yeast per batch, I can live to be 102 and still have some left over).
This morning, I formed a lovely little ball, thinking it was going to be a bun instead of a loaf but still following the precise directions and comparing the pictures. After about 45 min, it blossomed beautifully into a round sturdy loaf. Then I was to cut slashes into it....not sure why but they looked good in the pictures. Well, drawing a serrated knife across sticky dough does not result in neat gashes. But whatever....... It went onto a 450 degree preheated pizza stone with pan of steaming water underneath. I hovered for the next 30 min.
And then, it was done !!
The recipe makes enough for 4 loaves so I'm baking up the rest of the dough for the neighbors. I have to say that it was very easy despite my constant angst. The bread is crusty/chewy on the outside with lots of holes on the inside for strawberry jam.
My mother made bread every Monday, enough to last a week to feed a family of 6. She also made caramel rolls and buns. And she didn't need a recipe, nor a fancy mixer, nor a pizza stone. And it was much better than mine.
You won't believe this but today I decided to make some french loaves...only problem, you put the loaves on sheet and put a pan with boiling water on lower shelf...THEN you turn the oven on!! Guess who forgot to turn the oven on! I just realized while I was reading emails!!! Your bread looks great...I'll send a pic IF mine turn out.
ReplyDeleteHi Susan and Paul, Your bread looks so good. Sourdough seems to be the popular one with my friends. I had no idea you can make your own starter.
ReplyDeleteSo, I think you had a birthday, Susan. Hope your day was enjoyable.
Are you two heading north soon?
Liked the picture of Paul and Janet.
All is well here given the circumstances. As I just read "We are all in the same storm but not the same boat." Thankfully our boat is pretty comfortable.
Love and healthy wishes,
June
Hi Sue, I have several recipes for bread made in a heavy dutch oven (I have one). Some only use yeast, water, and flour. However, I keep hesitating because I live so high (over 10,000'), and I don't want to ruin my dutch oven. All call for heating the pot at 450 before putting in the unbaked bread loaf. Yours looks terrific! I am kind of a bread girl, so I really have to be careful. I would eat 3/4 of the loaf and Bob 1/4. It's so lovely in Breck today. I walked early and was so sweated when I got home I had to change. (It was only 34 when I left, but that sun feels warm at altitude, and I was doing hills.) I think we're supposed to continue this warming trend into next week. I still have lots of backyard snow, and the forest can't be accessed without snowshoes. Hope you and Paul are feeling well. Are you riding your bike?
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