Blog posts

Today’s round loaf different again crisper crust more even texture a twenty four loaf from the time dough was started to the time it was put in the oven. Proofed overnight in the fridge for 12 hours it looked good not quite doubled. Preheated oven with Dutch oven in at 460 degrees placed loaf in. Slashed  it sprayed with water lid on into oven and reduced temperature to 440 degrees for 25 minutes then lid off for another 25.  Top was getting a little to dark so slipped a piece of tinfoil on top to deflect . Worked well.

A fun experiment that satisfied my yearning for a bagel or two. I riffed on a stiff dough recipe, introducing plenty of whole-wheat and rye flour for dark malt and honey flavors. These turned out with a slightly bready crumb, but I think they are a good starting point for future bakes. Delicious with fresh chive and onion schmear!

Another step on the baguette trail---or perhaps highway, given how many other people also seem to be working on these!

Process

Followed the process in alfanso's comments here: 

http://www.thefreshloaf.com/node/63699/baguette-practice

http://www.thefreshloaf.com/node/51572/vermont-sd-baguettes-course

but scaled down to make three 11 inch baguettes at 240g each.

This was proofed from  about 6pm the previous evening for baking in the morning at 9 am.

This is a loaf I made yesterday. Proofed overnight then let rest on the counter for about a half hour shaped folded and let final proof in the garage for about four hours . Preheated Dutch oven in a 460 degree oven.  I use a medium sized bowl lined with cloth liberally coated with flour as final proof basket.

Hi,  I am making French loafs.  My second proof, the loafs spread and lost their shape.  Can I punch down and reshape into loafs pans?

This bake was 50% freshly milled redeemer wheat (the other half being high gluten flour) with the addition of 25% toasted millet seeds.

A mild toasty flavor that is not overpowering, and the millet adds textural diversity to the loaf.

One of my favorite flavor combinations for add-ins. 

Been playing around with cold shaping (after retard) and while I want to work out some of the caverns, overall I'm pretty pleased with the loaf. This one proofed for 2:45 after shaping and I'm thinking it could have gone longer. Any thoughts on that?

I've been wanting to play with making a miche again, now that my confidence is back and Susan's high-extraction miche didn't disappoint! I used my NMNF starter straight out of the fridge and got some great results! I wish I had baked it a bit bolder, but this a damn tasty loaf!