All About Sour Dough .

[Csoki]

Thanks all for the encouragement!    I am a bit excitable when it comes to bread... Chooky, I did  two rises and got a nice bit of rise in the oven as well. I read someone's tip to put a handful of ice cubes into the baking dish of water just as you put the bread into the oven so I followed  that advice. I have cut into one of them and it is sooo yummy! It's not too sweet, there is cinnamon and mixed spice in the dough, which smells divine. In hindsight I was a little conservative with the dried fruit, which I might remedy next time. All in all, a very good first effort, even if I say so myself . Especially given that I am in our holiday house, where my oven leaves a bit to desire.

 Chooky, I have one of those old fashioned Romertopf clay bakers, I might try baking bread in that.

[Csoki]

Csoki, those loaves look great.  Well done!

Unfortunately I had to throw out my starter before it really even got started.  When I was feeding it, I gave the mixture a stir and a section of the glass jar broke (cheap Kmart jar).  Although it was a pretty clean break, I couldn't risk have any stray bits of glass in the mixture so tossed the lot.  Haven't got around to finding another jar yet to start my next lot.

How unlucky Vieve! I am sorry to hear that! I bought my jar in an op-shop for 99c.  If you are in Melbourne, I am happy to share my starter.

[VieveMS]

Thanks for the offer Csoki but I am in Sydney. 

I might track down another jar tomorrow and try again though.

[achookwoman]

Csoki,  that clay baker would be fantastic.  I would line it with baking paper so it doesn't stick.  i always put a dish with water in the bottom of the oven if the bread is in a tin.  not necessary if covered. The best SD fruit loaf I make has 300g of fruit, 120g Walnuts to 500 g of flour. I usually also add 1 Tablespoon of walnut oil.

AB,  that is not cheating,  just intelligent use of resources to get a good result.

[Aussie Brenda]

SD fruit loaf sounds delish when I have enough starter in a day or two I'll give it ago, oh I don't have any tins with me.  Humm have to think about that.

[achookwoman]

AB,  you can cook it in anything.  Pyrex, saucepan ?

[Aussie Brenda]

I have a large round Corningwear bowl that would probably do.

[achookwoman]

AB,  sounds good.

[Csoki]

AB, your bread sounds great! I had a good giggle at wanting to impress your friends 
I never thought of baking bread in Pyrex etc but I will experiement, let me know how it goes if you try it AB.

Chooky, sounds like I really underestimated the fruit for my bread, I probably only added about 100-120g all up. Wow, walnuts sound like a great idea! Must try!

[Kimmyh]

Well done Csoki your cobs look fantastic. I am excited for you too.

[Wonder]

Csoki, that bread looks amazing, great idea to ask at a bakery. Where in Melbourne are you?

I think I might finally have some success. The starter from Chookie looks like its bubbling again and I might be imaging it but I think my own might have some very small bubbles. I've fed chookies with 1/2 cup of flour and some water again this morning and it's already bubbling again, I gave mine just a tablespoon of flour and water.

Chookie, what quantities should I feed your starter with, and do I feed each time all the bubbles reappear or wait?

[Csoki]

Thanks Wonder, I am in Eltham. Where are you? Good going on the SD starter. I have started keeping mine in the fridge now, I have heaps now, ended up with two jars as I wanted to feed the one I got from the bakery to make sure it becomes "my pet" , plus I used a bunch for the cobbs.  I just hope I don't kill my pet with kindness. Maybe if I think of it as "animal" it will work better as I am good with animals but terrible with plants LOL

[Wonder]

Not far away in Heidelberg - almost neighbors.

[achookwoman]

Csoki, that bread looks amazing, great idea to ask at a bakery. Where in Melbourne are you?

I think I might finally have some success. The starter from Chookie looks like its bubbling again and I might be imaging it but I think my own might have some very small bubbles. I've fed chookies with 1/2 cup of flour and some water again this morning and it's already bubbling again, I gave mine just a tablespoon of flour and water.

Chookie, what quantities should I feed your starter with, and do I feed each time all the bubbles reappear or wait?

Wonder,  depends on how active it is.  General rule ,  1/2 cup once a day,  but if very active you can feed it twice a day.

[Greyhoundmum]

The best SD fruit loaf I make has 300g of fruit, 120g Walnuts to 500 g of flour. I usually also add 1 Tablespoon of walnut oil.


Chookie would you add the fruit to TMX during the last minute of kneading ? or in at the beginning?

I have a loaf on the go now, here it is rising in my warming drawer as it is not so warm in Perth today it has its little shower cap on.