Short post today. I’ve got the batter for 16 loaves of ciabatta fermenting away in the kitchen. Mixing bowls, stock pots, even the shell to the salad spinner are all pressed into service to hold all this dough. This afternoon…
Blog Archives
Yes! Holes!
We all have our little victories and for me it’s getting holes in bread. “Easy!” you say, “Just poke your finger in there!” But were it that simple. My recent problems with ciabatta led me to think my dough was…
Ciabatta and More Ciabatta
I’m not sure what I’ve gotten myself into. I’ve agreed to make 16 loaves of ciabatta for a fundraiser event. In a way, this will be easier than any other type of bread because I can use the no-knead recipe. …
Oh Yeah…Bread
Sometimes I think I’ve figured out a technique for making bread. This is the right way, I say with confidence. Then I slap myself upside the head because I’m obviously wrong. I used to create steam in my oven with…
Shop Class as Soulcraft
When I was twelve I made a pair of mirrored wood sconces in shop class. My teacher was a massive figure who looked like Mr. T’s older brother and had only one speed: deliberate. I imagine if you cut your…
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged with: baking, blue collar, gardening, industrial arts, parenting, power tools, shop class, white collar
Monday Miscellany
My ciabatta is off, and no, that’s not a medical euphemism. I realize my recipe for no-knead undead ciabatta on the bread page was coming out too dry. Think, Uncle F$#k-Up! The hydration is supposed to be 100%. This means…
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged with: autumn, baking, bread, ciabatta, fire truck, neighborhood, parenting
Wheat Bread Revelation
Sometimes it just hits you. And by ‘it’ I mean that brick a mason just nudged off a ledge with his boot forty feet above you. Other times, inspiration hits you. For me, inspiration comes from applying things I already…
Banneton
I know, you’re thinking of that weird European store with the asexual models, but I’m talking about bread proofing baskets. These have been on my wish list for a long time but have always been something of a luxury. Sure,…
Passing the Torch
When I was little I got a grand Christmas present: a baking kit. It was a treasure chest of tools and ingredients ranging from a chef’s hat to mixing spoons. To me this was a chemistry set with edible results. …
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged with: baking, cake, daughter, garden, grandmother, kitchen, parenting
Irish Soda Bread
There’s something new in the bread section: Irish soda bread. My ancestry is from Scotland but I’m willing to concede that some good things have come out of the Emerald Isle, and soda bread is one of them. I love…
RSS - Posts