Blog posts

Susan and Jmonkey's Sourdough

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I'm not sure who mentioned this loaf recently, but many thanks to whoever it was. Just took the loaf out of the oven and it is lovely, and I have to admit I was a bit sceptical when I had to refrigerate it overnight. It seemed like a long time for the starter to keep working with the overnight on the counter too. Oh ye of little faith! Another first - I refreshed my starter and put it in a small jar and it overflowed. What a mess, but I guess it is getting stronger? There are HUGE snowflakes falling past my window but so far it isn't sticking, A.

Pane Siciliano

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Has anyone made this bread from the BBA? I was so thrilled with the dough which was easy to handle and shape, and they went into the refrigerator overnight. I was totally amazed when I pulled them out this morning because they were what I imagine was overproofed. I am so used to chilled sourdough breads being rock hard. I tried to gently move the loaves apart and one began to deflate, horrors. So I went ahead and baked them and followed PR's instruction to gently part the loaves halfway through the bake time - and the dent had filled out.

Pate fermentee

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I have been rushing to finish a quilt and haven't baked since last week. The quilt is nearly done and I just couldn't stand it another minute - I started the pate fermentee (I LOVE those words!) to make the PR Pane Siciliano. I made it when I first bought the book and managed to overbake the loaves. They tasted good but looking back I don't think the dough was right. Probably not proofed long enough which is one of the things I have learned here. One of the neighbors is having an open house on Saturday and if the loaves are presentable I will take one with me.

George Takes Over Thanksgiving

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I work weekends. Sat. 0000-1200, Sun. 0000-1200, Mon. 0000-0700. This is an insanely great schedule for most purposes. But, like all schedules, it complicates and contorts things at times. So begins our story for today. Two weeks ago on a Friday at approximately 1300 CST there we sat with 3 hours to kill before needing to go to bed. I decided to break out the flour and make a quick loaf for test purposes. I began with the following.