Multi-grain Sourdough Bread: April 30, 2019

Sourdough Bread: April 30, 2019

David Snyder

This is basically the same bread I baked on March 22, 2019. The only change was to substitute spelt for the rye and some of the all purpose flour in the final dough.

I have been trying different grain blends and anticipate continuing this line of experiments for a while. All the breads have been among my favorites. The long cold retardation really enhances the acid content without resulting in too much gluten breakdown, at least with these flours and this hydration level.

1. Dissolve the starter in the water.

2. Add the flours and mix thoroughly.

3. Ferment at 76ºF for 8-10 hours.

4. Refrigerate for 12 hours or up to 3 days.

Procedures

1. Place the flours and water in the bowl of a stand mixer and mix at low speed to a shaggy mass.

2. Cover the bowl and let it rest (autolyse) for 1-2 hours.

3. Sprinkle the salt over the surface of the dough. Add the starter in chunks. Mix at Speed 1 for 2 minutes to distribute ingredients then for about 9 minutes at Speed 2 to develop the dough.

4. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured board. Shape into a ball.

5. Transfer the dough to a clean, lightly oiled bowl. Cover the bowl and ferment at 80ºF for about 3 hours with stretch and folds at 50 and 100 minutes.

6. Divide the dough into two equal pieces. Cover and let rest for 10-30 minutes to relax the gluten.

7. Shape as boules or bâtards and place in floured bannetons. Cover or place in food-grade plastic bags.

8. Proof for 2-3 hours at room temperature until the loaves have expanded by about 50%.

9. Refrigerate for 12-40 hours (The longer the cold retardation, the more sour the final loaf).

10. Remove from refrigerator. Check on degree of proofing. Proof further at 80ºF, as needed. (May need 1-3 hours.) If adequately proofed, proceed to scoring and baking.

11. Transfer to a peel. Score as desired.

12. Bake: If baking in Dutch oven, bake at 475ºF covered for 20 minutes, then uncovered at 450ºF for another 10 minutes or until done to satisfaction.

13. Bake: If baking on the hearth, pre-heat oven at 500ºF for 1 hour with baking stone and steaming apparatus in place. Turn down oven to 460. Load loaf and steam oven. After 15 minutes, remove steam and continue baking for 20-35 minutes, until loaf is baked. (Depends on size and shape of loaf.)

14. The bread is done when the crust is nicely colored and the loaf sounds hollow when thumped on the bottom. The internal temperature should be at least 205ºF.

15. Transfer the bread to a cooling rack and cool thoroughly before slicing.

Today's loaves were cold retarded for 36 hours then proofed at 80ºF for about 60 minutes before being baked.

This bake was quite similar to others in this series. The crust was crunchy. The crumb was mildly chewy. The flavor was complex and very nice with a definite acetic acid tang that did not over-power the flavor of the grains.

Happy baking!

David