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Friday, July 8, 2011

Sourdough bread - 1st attempt

Inspired by some fellow bloggers I decided it was about time I tried my hand at making sourdough bread. Me being me I wanted to make my own leaven. Goodness there are so many methods out there for making a starter, it's soooo confusing. After having rave reviews on several blogs, I settled on Dan Lepard's leaven recipe (I found that at Gillthepainter's blog.) At the same time I reserved Dan's book 'The handmade Loaf' at the local library, thankfully it arrived just in time to make my first loaf.



After feeding and caring for the baby for eight days, it seemed to the untrained eye ready to use. It was doubling in size every day, there were bubbles on the surface, surely it must be ripe.




I used the White leaven bread recipe and religiously followed the instructions. What a labor of love this sourdough bread making is, a whole day to make two loaves of bread!





Actually I think it kind of worked, not the best example but it wasn't a total brick and the taste was not too bad either. By now my starter is 11 days old and last night for the first time the starter was frothy, I think it's now ready to use.



Apparently you are suppose to name your starter. As I don't want to break with tradition I've named it in honour of my Dad 'Kev'. He was a pastry cook and loved to bake and a great inspiration to me.


Kev - late 40's or early 50's. It looks like he's icing either a wedding cake or a very large Christmas cake

Have a great day


Lisa

6 comments:

Dan Lepard said...

Just stumbled accross your blog. To me your first loaf looks utterly amazing, really good. I wish my first loaf had looked as good as yours. Congratulations!
Dan

Lisa said...

Wow, thanks so much Dan for your words of encouragement.

Fiona from Arbordale Farm said...

You should be so proud. I would say that bread looks more that just ok it looks fab. I am very inspired by your cheese making.

Wendy.B said...

Hey there Lisa, nothing wrong with your first sourdough...I love that holey chewy, pass me another piece look.. *smiles* your Dad looks like he is doing some sort of intricate surgery on that cake..

Chris said...

Wow, your loaves look amazing, Lisa! (and double wow that Dan popped over to say hi..are you skipping through the kitchen right about now?) :)

Lisa said...

Thanks Fiona, Wendy and Christine for your kind words.

Christine I nearly fell off the chair when I read Dan's comment. Then I thought 'how did he find my little blog'?