Blog posts

New member- panettone journey

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Hi all,

Ive been baking for some time mainly pastry, entrements ect... i decided to try panettone in oct 22 and its been like a drug ever since...ive never spent so long studying, obsessing or having nightmares about my whole life in this aspect anyway...road cycling is another matter...

My days are consumed with maintenance, preperation refreshments and troubleshooting or learning. My head buzzes with ideas how to make the next better than the last.

Starting 2023 with a Bang!

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So I started 2023 with a bang, on the side of my loaf that is. I have made about 5 loaves this year and all have proofing and kneading issues (and shaping). I even forgot the yeast in my steamed buns! My goal is to get better at timing (and organizing!) my sourdough bakes. What worked out for me last year or the year before doesn't seem to work out right now. With kids, everything is always changing as they get older (at least I don't have to move the crayons up to a higher shelf anymore). I have learned from every bake at least.

Sweet Potato Rye Sourdough Shokupan

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This bake used my offshoot of Alan’s starter, a 80% hydration and all whole rye.  The levain was whole wheat and was stiff and sweet.  What is a bit different about this bake was that I used rye for the first time in a tangzhong, this one again has a 1:2 ratio of rye:milk.  I had a bag of sweet potatoes so decided to add mashed sweet potato to this dough.  Being still in Fort Lauderdale I do not have my Ankarsrum Assistent so fully hand mixed this dough.  

Madras Curry, Almond & Raisin Loaf

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Today's bake:  Madras Curry, Almond & Raisin Loaf

Source:  Based on - Bake Magazine - Chef Julien Otto, faculty instructor at The Fresh Pastry School

Note(s): Added Almonds & Durum Flour,  ^ Curry  to 1.3%, added Diastatic Malt, converted to small baguettes..

This bread is made from a 74% Bread Flour (KA), 25% of Organic Durum 100% Extract, and 1% Rye (Dark  Flour)

All baked on a baking steel.

This is my 2nd attempt making this bread and will definitely will be baking it again.

Jackfruit Sourdough Gua Bao

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Alan’s starter is quite potent and still not getting much of a sour scent to it.  It is living in a ziplock bag in my fridge and I made the stiff sweet levain from it directly without any refreshing and the levain was ready in no time.  I think I’ll figure out how to bring some home and compare it to mine.  Alan if you read this, what is the hydration that you keep your starter?  It is certainly not 100%.