The Fresh Loaf

A Community of Amateur Bakers and Artisan Bread Enthusiasts.

Old Dough

David Esq.'s picture
David Esq.

Old Dough

I had some two-week old dough sitting in the fridge -- enough to make a pizza (maybe 250 grams), and decided that I would add it to my bread dough. It stunk of beer and I was not sure what it would do.  I regretted doing so almost immediately, as I did my first stretch and fold 10 minutes after incorporating it with the levain and salt.  When I went to lift the dough my hand went right through the middle of it.  It was like I created a super weak dough structure.

Fortunately, by the second fold, the dough was much stronger and by the third, it started behaving just like my regular sourdough. At nearly the fourth hour, I pre-shaped, then shaped and stuck it in the 10" Bannetons and popped them in the fridge. I did not note how much whole grain there was in this formula.  It was a random number based on the flours I had on hand.  Though, I included about 10% rye.

In the end, the bread came out very good. It smelled awesome and was something I was happy to eat and give away to my parents.

Here is the dough after an overnight stay in the fridge, sitting in a 10" banneton.

And here are the final loaves.

Comments

PalwithnoovenP's picture
PalwithnoovenP

What a fantastic bake from old dough. Is it just a forgotten levain or a real dough with salt already added? So nice when you give your parents what you made, makes it more delicious!

David Esq.'s picture
David Esq.

Two weeks ago I made bread and took some of it and divided into three pizza balls. I made two of them and then forgot about the third.  It was a sourdough and it had the salt added.

dabrownman's picture
dabrownman

old dough.  Nothing tastes like it,  Hard to get old dough around here though.  Well done and Happy baking 

Mini Oven's picture
Mini Oven

old dough, um.... a bit too old, it's walking away...  skip that...  But I know where you're coming from and looks like  they came out great!   Really great!  

I've been pepping up my rye starter since yesterday, last fed in Feb.  Seems to be up and at 'em and puffing up my dough for a bake soon.  A 40% rye recipe.  Rising in the banneton presently.   I have to stay awake...  repeat...  I have to stay awake.... ...I'm dead on my feet but have to stay awake...  where's that loud timer?