Getting Ready for making Bread

I have gradually for a few months been adding things to my requirement list for having another go at making Sourdough.  I already had a hand blender which I bought in Summer and have gone on to add in a proper Lame and now finally a cast iron 5.3 litre pan for cooking the Bread in which should arrive later on in the week. (This has now arrived). This is something that has been on my wish list for quite some time.  Gradually the holes are being filled on the equipment front.  There are still a few more bits, but I will wait a while possibly until I can get good prices for the remaining bits and bobs.  I also have a proper set of electric scales and will therefore weigh the jar and then the ingredients which is also meant to help.

I have therefore started off another Sourdough Starter.  I have used Rye Bread flour for this purpose as I read that it gives a much more stable starter than those just made from white flour.  You can also feed the Rye flour starter with ordinary flour once it has gained strength and has sustained itself.  The Starter is not ready yet.

I am not sure why I have so many problems with Sourdough - it might be the fact that the kitchen is a cold kitchen especially in winter but it does seem to upset the starter a bit.  This time round I am going to be keeping the starter where it will be warmer.

However I am very much looking forward to getting into a routine and having another go at Sourdough.  So much better for you overall.  I also like the density of the bread.  I am a big bread lover, but sadly I cannot eat very much, one of the problems of a hiatus hernia.  I always have a little but never as much as I would actually like.

Whilst I am waiting for the Sourdough Starter to take, I am going to play and have a go at making some buns for accompanying some left-overs from a Chicken.  It is a new to me recipe.  I will see how we get on with this first.  It is a while since I have made any bread at all and it is something I actually enjoy doing.

I then intend to have a go at making some ordinary bread "No knead" or bread made in my Kitchen Aid.  Thinking of cooking it in the cast iron pan in any event which I am pleased with.  I managed to get it in the sale from Argos for £30. It is a Habitat 5.3 litre casserole in cream.  I am very pleased with this.

Argos Habitat 5.3 Litre Casserole details

There is therefore some movement going on, albeit slow at the moment as I am trying to get into a new routine and doing new things to make more things myself overall.  I need to do this for my own satisfaction in the longer term.  Things are slowly slotting into place.  I still have a lot of things to do though as always it is just the depth that varies.

Catch you soon.

Pattypan

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