The Bread Topic (2016–)

kayb · November 20, 2017

5 hours ago, blbst36 said:

I was wondering if I could get some help. I want to make bread for thanksgiving, but I am not going to be in my apartment for most of the day (Attempting a big old hike that morning, so I am just assuming I won't have enough time to make the bread and turkey). I wanted to make some challah bread. If I made it the day before, how would I store it so that it wold still be good for dinner?

I was also thinking of making the dough all the way to the braid and putting it in the fridge. Then, on Thursday, take it out when I get back to rise and bake. Is this the type of dough I can do something like that with? I am willing to cut my hike short for the sake of homemade bread

ETA - I will be using Peter Reinhart's recipe from Bread Baker's Apprentice

I have not tried it with challah, but I have had success making bread/rolls to the baking stage and then par-baking; baking it until it's formed, risen and crusted over a bit, but not fully done inside. Then you can finish it up with 10-15 minutes the next day right before dinner.

Ann_T · November 25, 2017

Batch of bread dough, 1000g went into the fridge on Wednesday night.

Took enough out yesterday to make one loaf. Came of of the oven late last night.

Sliced this morning for breakfast toast.

blbst36 · November 29, 2017

On 11/20/2017 at 3:06 PM, MelissaH said:

I'd make it the day before, through to completion. Once it's out of the oven and cooled, put it in a plastic bag. Then, while the turkey is resting, take it out of its bag and stick it in the oven for a few minutes to warm through.

Thanks! I ended up baking it all the way, but didn't bother warming it. I was afraid it would get too dark as it was already very dark. I had some when it was fresh though. I'm going to post it below

On 11/20/2017 at 6:56 PM, kayb said:

I have not tried it with challah, but I have had success making bread/rolls to the baking stage and then par-baking; baking it until it's formed, risen and crusted over a bit, but not fully done inside. Then you can finish it up with 10-15 minutes the next day right before dinner.

So, how do you know when to take it out? Do you use the same temp as the original recipe? Do you store it in the fridge over night? Do you take it out for any amount of time before baking again? Have you ever tried par-baking, then freezing?

blbst36 · November 29, 2017

I made my first loaves of challah bread. They came out a LOT better than I expected. Why? Because I saw "roll the dough out" and I thought rolling pin. I had already flattened all the dough before I realized my mistake. I also have no idea why they got so dark. They only baked barely 30 minutes. The temp was right in the oven - I have a thermometer for that. The inner temp was good, so I took them out. I covered them in everything bagel seasoning before I put them in. It was a good idea, but some of the pieces got a little toasty. It was still tasty. I am going to give it another try.

All done. Evil rolling pin in the background

Sliced (after letting cool completely)

kayb · November 29, 2017

2 hours ago, blbst36 said:

Thanks! I ended up baking it all the way, but didn't bother warming it. I was afraid it would get too dark as it was already very dark. I had some when it was fresh though. I'm going to post it below

So, how do you know when to take it out? Do you use the same temp as the original recipe? Do you store it in the fridge over night? Do you take it out for any amount of time before baking again? Have you ever tried par-baking, then freezing?

My rolls, which are usually what I par-bake because of the time demands of Sunday or other family dinner, call for 20-25 minutes at 350. To par-bake, I go for about 10-12 minutes, at which point they're fully oven-sprung and have a dry crust and a little bit of browning starting, but are still doughy in the center, and I let them cool. Then I cover with foil and, as I'm usually doing them the night before, just leave them on the counter overnight. There's a local restaurant that does a similar thing with their rolls that sells the par-baked version out of their freezer case, so I'm guessing I could freeze after they were cooled and covered.

I bake the next day for about 15 minutes, again at 350.

Of course, since I've acquired the CSO, it's easier to just go ahead and bake them and then reheat for five minutes at 350. They taste just like fresh.

Ann_T · November 29, 2017

Baguette baked on Sunday night from the remaining dough from Wednesday.

Sliced tonight because Moe wanted some toast.

blbst36 · November 29, 2017

11 hours ago, kayb said:

My rolls, which are usually what I par-bake because of the time demands of Sunday or other family dinner, call for 20-25 minutes at 350. To par-bake, I go for about 10-12 minutes, at which point they're fully oven-sprung and have a dry crust and a little bit of browning starting, but are still doughy in the center, and I let them cool. Then I cover with foil and, as I'm usually doing them the night before, just leave them on the counter overnight. There's a local restaurant that does a similar thing with their rolls that sells the par-baked version out of their freezer case, so I'm guessing I could freeze after they were cooled and covered.

I bake the next day for about 15 minutes, again at 350.

Of course, since I've acquired the CSO, it's easier to just go ahead and bake them and then reheat for five minutes at 350. They taste just like fresh.

Thanks! NO clue what a CSO is, but I'm not going to be getting one. I was thinking of trying to par-bake some challah bread. I found out they are a friend's favorite bread, so I was thinking of making some and taking it when I got back home to visit. Then, she can have some fresh baked bread.

kayb · November 29, 2017

Sorry. Cuisinart Convection Steam Oven. It's a marvelous thing. You can somewhat mimic the action by putting ice cubes in a hot pan in a hot oven at the same time you put bread in, to create a blast of steam. Makes for a fresher-tasting toasted or reheated bread.

Must confess I have never made challah (though it makes the best French toast in the world). But I don't see why you couldn't par-bake it. Try half to 2/3 of your customary time, let cool COMPLETELY, and wrap. No need to refrigerate or freeze unless you're waiting a long time to finish the baking, I'd say.

blbst36 · November 29, 2017

31 minutes ago, kayb said:

Sorry. Cuisinart Convection Steam Oven. It's a marvelous thing. You can somewhat mimic the action by putting ice cubes in a hot pan in a hot oven at the same time you put bread in, to create a blast of steam. Makes for a fresher-tasting toasted or reheated bread.

Must confess I have never made challah (though it makes the best French toast in the world). But I don't see why you couldn't par-bake it. Try half to 2/3 of your customary time, let cool COMPLETELY, and wrap. No need to refrigerate or freeze unless you're waiting a long time to finish the baking, I'd say.

Thanks! I have a counter oven, but I am ok with using the big one since it's winter here

Ann_T · November 30, 2017

Baked my first bread in the CSO tonight. Started the dough after 2:30 this afternoon and the bread just came out of the oven at 9:00 PM.

Made a 500g batch at 72% hydration. The loaf upfront is the one baked in the CSO. The one in the background was baked in a Waring counter-top oven.

Both baked on stones. I have some 7" stones and one was perfect in the CSO for a round/boule.

lindag · November 30, 2017

8 hours ago, Ann_T said:

Baked my first bread in the CSO tonight. Started the dough after 2:30 this afternoon and the bread just came out of the oven at 9:00 PM.

And you are already an expert!!! Wow, such beautiful breads.

Ann_T · December 4, 2017

On 30/11/2017 at 6:06 AM, lindag said:

And you are already an expert!!! Wow, such beautiful breads.

Thanks Linda.

Had enough dough leftover over from a batch that had been in the fridge since Friday to bake a small loaf last night.

Baked in the CSO at 450°.

Sliced this morning.

Edited December 4, 2017 by Ann_T (log)

robirdstx · December 7, 2017

Simple Crusty Bread ~ destined to be used for dunking in herb seasoned olive oil later today!

cakewalk · December 12, 2017

Plain old boring bread, just like all the others. Levain, a bit of yeast, flour, water, salt. From Thomas Keller's Bouchon Bakery, mostly. I won't cut it open until tomorrow morning, it needs to cool and I need to sleep.

cakewalk · December 12, 2017

I'm a liar. Sleep is for people who buy their bread. This is one good loaf. Flavorful, lovely texture. Sweet dreams.

**andiesenji** · December 12, 2017

On 11/8/2017 at 2:35 PM, Kerry Beal said:

It's the round loaves that I adored (as well as the pullman of course). I found ganged pan of 4 round loaves about 30 years ago and made my interpretation of the National Bakery's onion breads and cheese breads in them a number of times. First time I didn't know to weigh out the dough - took a bit of soaking to get those loaves out.

Like these.

I've had this pipe tin on ebay for awhile. Have received several inquires (some extremely odd) but only very low "offers" which I declined.

I used it when I was catering for bread and cakes (sponge cake).

I never had any trouble with loaves sticking - I used the Vegalene Food Release Spray or the Bak-klene - purchased at Smart & Final.

I used to put on a mask to spray it but now Vegalene has an "Allergen-Free" release spray.

Edited December 13, 2017 by andiesenji (log)

Kerry Beal · December 12, 2017

14 hours ago, andiesenji said:

I've had this pipe tin on ebay for awhile. Have received several inquires (some extremely odd) but only very low "offers" which I declined.

I used it when I was catering for bread and cakes (pound cake).

I never had any trouble with loaves sticking - I used the Vegalene Food Release Spray or the Bak-klene - purchased at Smart & Final.

I used to put on a mask to spray it but now Vegalene has an "Allergen-Free" release spray.

Interesting - never would have thought of using it for pound cake. How much batter per round ? Shall have to dig mine out.

**andiesenji** · December 13, 2017

On 12/12/2017 at 1:33 PM, Kerry Beal said:

Interesting - never would have thought of using it for pound cake. How much batter per round ? Shall have to dig mine out.

That was an error. I baked sponge cakes in it. I don't know why I typed pound.

I filled them as full as I could, laying down extra batter down the middle, then closing it quickly and straight onto a hot sheet pan in a hot oven to "set" the batter in the bottom half quickly so it would push the batter up into the top half.

I learned this trick from a baker friend who worked at the Huntington hotel.

The temp preheat was 450 with the sheet pan in place. The pipe tin was set on the sheet pan and the oven temp lowered to 325 and bake for 55 minutes.

There is room for a probe thermometer to be inserted into the center and I would do so at each end of the second loaf from the hinges.

Edited December 21, 2017 by andiesenji (log)

Ann_T · December 21, 2017

Woke up Tuesday morning to a snow storm. Ground was already covered when I looked out at 4:00AM and it was coming down heavy.

I had taken one of Monday's batches of dough out early and it was shaped and proofing and just about ready to bake when the power went off. Hoping that the power wouldn't be off long, I put the proofing loaves out of the back porch hoping to stall the proofing. Unfortunately the power was still off at mid afternoon. (Off for 24 hours. Came on again at 9:00 Wednesday morning. )

It had finally stopped snowing mid afternoon and the roads had been plowed. So I headed out to get my spare propane tank filled, just in case I had to cook dinner on the grill and I wanted to make sure I had enough propane to bake the bread.

Wasn't sure if the bread was a lost cause or not, but I figured I had nothing to lose and I hated to waste a two day batch of dough.

Bread went on the grill just after 5:00.

Bread baking on the grill . Dark so I used the flashlight app on my phone for light.

Finished.

Crumb shot. Sliced Wednesday.

Captain · December 21, 2017

Wow! even in crisis you make perfect.

robirdstx · December 24, 2017

Oven Baked Skillet Cornbread

Was perfect with our chili for dinner tonight!

Edited December 24, 2017 by robirdstx (log)

heidih · December 24, 2017

Bacon fat involved?

robirdstx · December 24, 2017

5 minutes ago, heidih said:

Bacon fat involved?

Bacon drippings and lard!

kayb · December 24, 2017

I started to ask if there was any other kind, but I recalled my cast-iron cornstick pans that bake the corn "muffins" shaped like an ear of corn....

Baked two skillets full night before last to make cornbread dressing for the soup kitchen Christmas dinner today. Nobody left hungry. Most left with carry-outs as well. None of which has much to do with bread...