Because we had guests coming for Sunday lunch, I decided to make a double batch of potato bread on Saturday. I had an inkling it would be good, because the dough was really frisky: I could barely contain it on the chopping board I use to knead my dough. It was so alive there was no way I could knead it and leave it on the board, covered with a large stainless steel bowl, as I normally do, because it would have pushed right out from the bowl. So instead I had to put it back into the bowl, and cover it with a tea towel whilst it rested.
I also discovered that it's so much easier to fold dough, in the fancy way they tell you to (basically folding the dough into three, so take one third of it, fold it into the centre and then the other side, fold in on top) with so much dough. It was really easy to fold in this way, although not easy to keep in any sort of shape. I practically had to pour it into the bannetons.
I cooked one lot in a 1k round on the Sunday but the other I left in a 600g banneton (in the fridge at 4C) til this morning. It had risen hugely and spread out lots on the baking tray the moment I turned it out. I slashed it four times and it looked very collapsed, but I'm used to that with long-prove breads now and hoped it would revive in the oven. It did.
Instead of what I usually do, which is put it in the oven at the highest temperature and then turning it down, I've been experimenting with putting the bread in the oven at 220C for the first 8-10 mins, then putting it up higher to 250C, then back down. This is what I did this time.
The bread rose beautifully, had a great crust (heavier and darker than the one I did for Sunday lunch, probably cos of the shape) and OMG it tastes divine. The longer prove has definitely improved the flavour.
I'd go as far as to say it's very probably the best tasting bread I've ever made. I will try to photograph the crumb later (if there is any left), it's really good. Not overproved (as I feared), kinda waxy, very white. And so moist.
Swoon.
Oh that looks scrummy, i really wish my family would eat home made bread, i love to make it but i'm the only one who eats it and it's not so good for the waistline :)
ReplyDeleteHello H!
ReplyDeleteWhy won't they eat home-made bread? I ask cos R isn't madly keen on lots of things I make but both children go nuts over the sourdough. Also I honestly have found I've lost weight since making sourdough. I think, for me, it's cos it fulfils that 'baking need' but it's bread, not cakes or biscuits. Plus you know it's low GI. I don't know, it sort of feels treaty but doesn't send me into a spiral like stuff with sugar does.
Thanks for commenting on the blog! xx