Gift bread
I had promised my grandaughter's teacher a loaf of sourdough and planned to make Susan's loaf, the one baked under the ss mixing bowl. My starter seems to be really hearty and I was pretty confident the loaf would be as good as my latest several. Yesterday was the day, and for some reason the dough didn't have the usual feel and I refrigerated it with trepidation. So while it was warming up for the 2 hours this morning I started a batch of Susanfnp's Semi-Sourdough, thinking that I would use it as back up. The gloomy dough had risen slightly in the refrigerator and to my amazement it rose like crazy under the bowl and even crackled as it cooled. The back up dough was very slack and took lots of stretching and folding and I was sure it was going to make doorstops but the bread fairies were with me and I now have three presentable loaves. All I have to do is decide which one to give away, A.
Comments
Great, Annie! Don't you love bread that sings? My poor son sometimes has to put up with me running in to his room and thrusting a loaf of hot bread under his nose, saying, "Listen to this, listen to this!"
Glad the bread fairies were in a good mood.
Have you cracked in to Elizabeth David yet?
Hi Browndog. I decided to take the sourdough bread and the class all wanted to smell it and were disappointed because Mrs. Twomey was taking it home to have with Cream of Broccoli cheese soup. So next week I am going to take a loaf, breadboard and knife and Mrs. T is going to make soup! I think I will take some starter too so that I can explain it to them - they are third graders and very curious. Yes, the singing crust is wonderful!
My Elizabeth David books arrived in dribs and drabs over the holidays, not the best time to sit and read. I read Is There a Nutmeg in the House? and dipped into An Omelet and a Glass of Wine. Then I have South Wind Through the Kitchen and Yeast Cookery, where I see she has a chapter on brick ovens. I like her writing even if she is rather opinionated, and I LOVE her idea of a separate oven just for bread along with a proofing cupboard. That is from the article on her dream kitchen written in 1977 - no tangerine and avocado colors ( colours) for her. I am really trying to finish the 4 quilts before I can take time to sit and read and enjoy.
I talked to my California son last night, and as usual asked if he had fed his starter lately. He promised he would do it immediately - and then I found out he feeds it and puts it into the refrigerator right away. No wonder his bread is sometimes OK, more often not. I feel responsible as I sent him some of my starter, with directions. Oh well, he's too old to listen to his mama, or so he thinks. A.
Hi, Annie,
I have only ever read English Bread, which I love, and yes, she certainly sees things her own way.
What a terrific idea for the third graders--you'll probably inspire a few little bakers, let us know how it goes.
And I'm sorry to hear that grown sons aren't any better at listening to their mothers than teenage ones are.