238 replies to this topic

[Isabelle Prescott]

I have started to paint my risen loaves with water and a pastry brush just before placing them in the oven. This seems to work as well for me as hot or boiling water in the bottom of the oven. Add a second painting of water about 10 minutes into the baking time.

[Aloha Steve]

Made 100% Whole Wheat Rustic Bread from Peter Reinhart's "Artisan Breads Every Day"





It smells like heaven in here. I hope I can wait till it cools properly before tearing into it !

[kellytree]

Bread made this am.

It tastes great.

Last time I made bread I left the little bit of dough (with yeast)stuck on the bowl ... once dry I added some water and used it as a faux starter. Added a bit of water and flour every day for 3 days and then about 1 lb of flour and the water required (and salt) to make a sloppy dough - stuck it in the fridge over night - pulled it out this am- mixed well and then put on a baking sheet - left to rise for about 3 hours - and then in the oven (regular one not the brick).

Despite the big cave between the top crust and crumb I am satisfied with the result.

[Aloha Steve]

Bread made this am.

It tastes great.

Last time I made bread I left the little bit of dough (with yeast)stuck on the bowl ... once dry I added some water and used it as a faux starter. Added a bit of water and flour every day for 3 days and then about 1 lb of flour and the water required (and salt) to make a sloppy dough - stuck it in the fridge over night - pulled it out this am- mixed well and then put on a baking sheet - left to rise for about 3 hours - and then in the oven (regular one not the brick).

Despite the big cave between the top crust and crumb I am satisfied with the result.

Looks great nice bubbles !

[Aloha Steve]

Challah from P.R. Artisan Breads Every Day


Before first proof....




Just out of the oven...

[Aloha Steve]

Challah from P.R. Artisan Breads Every Day


Before first proof....




Just out of the oven...

I usually am pretty hard on my cooking results. With that being said, this is equal to the most successful breads, in terms of what was supposed to happen, including adjusting for a mistake or two on my part, that I've made to date. I have not had mainland challah for about 20 years, although I've had our local bagel place's rendition in the last 6 months.
This is the BEST tasting challah bread I remember ever tasting.
I'm quoting our own Marlene "The Challah bread was a huge hit. Much much better than the recipe in BBA! " And she would know what's good and what's not!

[Blether]

This is the BEST tasting challah bread I remember ever tasting.

It looks totally professional too. I'm impressed.

[Marlene]

That looks fabulous! Bravo!

[Lindsey]

Anyone got any advice for working with spelt flour? I am trying to find a spelt pita recipe to no avail, have made the straight loaf but was very heavy, good flavour though.

[Marlene]

By the way, Aloha Steve, leftover Challah makes really good french toast the next day!

[Kerry Beal]

By the way, Aloha Steve, leftover Challah makes really good french toast the next day!

And really great lemon bread pudding!

[Aloha Steve]

By the way, Aloha Steve, leftover Challah makes really good french toast the next day!

And really great lemon bread pudding!

They both sound delicious.

[CKatCook]

I am sorry I don't have any pictures, but I made jalapeno chedder bread. Turned out like heaven!

[baroness]

Toasted Sesame and Sunflower Loaf, from King Arthur Flour's "Whole Grain Baking" -- definitely a keeper! Next time, I want to add some sort of cooked rice, like one does for Struan.

[Beth Wilson]

Anyone got any advice for working with spelt flour? I am trying to find a spelt pita recipe to no avail, have made the straight loaf but was very heavy, good flavour though.

I am no expert on alternative flours, but I have a couple of books and am going to try. What I have noticed about alot of the recipes is more than one type of flour is used.

If you google 'spelt flour recipes for bread' and a lot of recipes come up. I am planning on trying this one myself - http://www.foodandwi...ney-spelt-bread

I admit I have been procrastinating on baking with alternative flours as most people seem to discuss their first attempts as doorstops. Keep on trying, it seems to be a learn as you go process.

[Lindsey]

Anyone got any advice for working with spelt flour? I am trying to find a spelt pita recipe to no avail, have made the straight loaf but was very heavy, good flavour though.

I am no expert on alternative flours, but I have a couple of books and am going to try. What I have noticed about alot of the recipes is more than one type of flour is used.

If you google 'spelt flour recipes for bread' and a lot of recipes come up. I am planning on trying this one myself - http://www.foodandwi...ney-spelt-bread

I admit I have been procrastinating on baking with alternative flours as most people seem to discuss their first attempts as doorstops. Keep on trying, it seems to be a learn as you go process.

Thanks Beth, I did, however, forget to say I need the recipe to be no sugar or honey, will persevere and report back.

[tino27]

I have started to paint my risen loaves with water and a pastry brush just before placing them in the oven. This seems to work as well for me as hot or boiling water in the bottom of the oven. Add a second painting of water about 10 minutes into the baking time.

At 10 minutes into the baking process, any ovenspring you hope to achieve will be complete. Repainting the loaves with water isn't necessary at this point. The nice thing about throwing a 1/2 cup of hot water onto a pre-heated pan is that you can do it quickly so as to minimize heat loss in the oven.

[robirdstx]

Simple Crusty Bread - this is the first bread loaf I have attempted in over 30 years. The first one had made a very good doorstop - I had no clue about yeast and killed it very well! I think I did better this time.


We liked the crust but the crumb, though moist, was denser (heavier) than we were hoping for. Suggestions for improvement are most welcome.

[Isabelle Prescott]

Painting with water twice gives me a chewier crust. I don't know that it has anything to do with oven spring. I'm not an expert... just an experimenter.

[Aloha Steve]

Made two completely different types of bread today.

This is call Raisin Rye and it looks great. Looks like a big muffin top !



This next bread is called "Warm Comfort Bread"..its a sour dough, no added yeast bread. So far, I am 3 for 3 for breads using a starter. ALL DUDS.
This would be better called "Round Door Stop Boule"



Oh well can't win them all.

[Aloha Steve]

This next bread is called "Warm Comfort Bread"..its a sour dough, no added yeast bread. So far, I am 3 for 3 for breads using a starter. ALL DUDS.
This would be better called "Round Door Stop Boule"



Oh well can't win them all.

Well, just tasted my doorstop and guess what ? Its got a good taste ! It has a hint of sourdough, the sweet potato comes thru, all and all not bad. The dark spots are indeed burt and bitter but they are only on the top skin.
I am really enjoying baking bread.

[Doodad]

I made my first brioche this past weekend. I made the sausage stuffed brioche from Keller's Bouchon book.


Good gosh what a lot of butter!
Good gosh what a great bread! It came out delicious.

[franktex]

Can someone tell me what causes my bread to bake up like this? It does not happen all the time, and it tastes fine, but it doesn't look so great:

Attached Images

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[lesliec]

Hi Frank.

My loaves often do something similar. I put it down to hot (or cool) spots in the oven, but I haven't yet been scientific enough to work out exactly what's happening and where.

It probably helps that my bread tastes fabulous.

[Rico]

Whoa. Posting a first-ever loaf on this thread is ... intimidating.

But I'm looking past that, because I made bread. Real bread. And I'm excited about it, dangit! It's the Anadama from BBA. I've never had anadama before, so I don't really know what it's supposed to taste like but if it's supposed to taste good, then I think I did it right (I'm from Texas - anadama's a New England thing, right? Or am I just woefully uninformed?). I probably haven't even noticed a bunch of things that I didn't do right, but right now, I don't mind a bit.

[Aloha Steve]

so I don't really know what it's supposed to taste like but if it's supposed to taste good, then I think I did it right.

Rico, it look great, nice air pockets inside, I'm not familiar with this particular bread however I'd say you hit it out of the park!

[Marlene]

It looks great, especially for your first go around! There's something special about one's first loaf of homemade bread. There's a moment when you just knowthat making bread is going to be one of your great pleasures. My first loaf was a dismal failure, but I fell in love with breadmaking that day.

I've got the dough in the fridge for Artisan Breads everyday, Butterflake rolls. They'll get baked off Saturday morning.

[Isabelle Prescott]

Can someone tell me what causes my bread to bake up like this? It does not happen all the time, and it tastes fine, but it doesn't look so great:

Here's a site that explains some of the reasons for a blow-out of the crust.

http://www.artisanbreadbaking.com/blogs/?p=43

[franktex]

Thanks! I'm still kinda new at this bread thing, but I knew I could get help here!

[Stephanie Brim]

Yet another rye. I have a little rye obsession lately.

Also, I tried sourdough bagels. Still a work in progress, but it was my first official time.