Sourdough
I wanted to be a master bread baker when I was in my 20’s so I got a bread maker and a cookbook and that’s where I started. I was not too fond of the hole the kneading paddle left in the bottom of the loaf so I started taking out the dough and finishing it outside the bread maker. Then, I moved on to my Kitchen-Aid stand mixer. I started making Sourdough bread when I lived in Flagstaff Arizona. A friend gave me the Le Brea Bakery Cookbook as a gift. I made my first starter using organic grapes and some flour and water. It took some time but that starter lasted me many years and made so much yummy bread. I lost it when I moved back to NC and then started a new one in 2022 when my life finally settled in at 909 W Wendover.
In the world of artisanal bread making, sourdough holds a special place. Its rich history, complex flavors, and the sheer satisfaction of turning simple ingredients into a beautiful loaf make it a favorite among baking enthusiasts. For those looking to embark on this rewarding baking journey, combining the wisdom found in the [La Brea Bakery cookbook with the quality of Little Spoon Farm's website recommendations, and using organic unbleached flour from Costco alongside a vintage KitchenAid stand mixer, can create an unbeatable formula for perfection.
The Foundation: Choosing the Right Ingredients
The first step in your sourdough adventure is selecting the right ingredients. A standout choice is the organic unbleached flour available at Costco. This high-quality flour is not only economical but also offers the strength and consistency needed for the perfect sourdough loaf. The lack of bleach in the flour ensures that the natural flavors and yeasts are not hindered, providing a pure base for your bread.
The Guide: La Brea Bakery Cookbook
The La Brea Bakery Cookbook, penned by the renowned baker Nancy Silverton, offers a treasure trove of insights into the art of sourdough bread-making. This book is a bible for bakers aiming to master the delicate balance of flavor and texture that sourdough is known for. It provides detailed instructions on maintaining a healthy starter—the heart of all sourdough recipes—along with a variety of recipes designed to develop a baker’s skills from novice to advanced.
The Technique: Leveraging a Vintage KitchenAid Stand Mixer
While sourdough bread is often associated with hand kneading, incorporating a vintage KitchenAid stand mixer can add a touch of ease and nostalgia to the process. These mixers, known for their durability and effectiveness, are perfect for kneading dough to the right consistency without overworking it. The gentle power of the mixer’s dough hook perfectly mimics hand-kneading, ensuring the dough is smooth and retains the gases produced by the yeast, crucial for a light, airy loaf.
The Method: Tips from Little Spoon Farm
Little Spoon Farm’s website is a modern resource that aligns beautifully with traditional techniques, offering tips and tricks that are particularly useful for beginners. Their approach to sourdough includes maintaining a robust starter and managing fermentation times, which are critical for developing the bread’s flavor and texture. Their detailed guides and supportive community can help demystify the process, making sourdough baking accessible to everyone.
Bringing It All Together
To start, create your sourdough starter using the instructions from the La Brea Bakery cookbook, keeping in mind the temperature and feeding tips from Little Spoon Farm. Once your starter is active and bubbly, mix your ingredients using the organic unbleached flour from Costco. Incorporate the water and flour gradually into your starter in the bowl of your KitchenAid mixer, using the dough hook attachment on a low setting to bring the dough together before increasing the speed for a thorough kneading.
After the dough has doubled in size, shape it into loaves or boules, and let it undergo a final proof. This is when the magic happens, and your dough transforms into a beautifully risen loaf. Bake according to the La Brea Bakery cookbook’s precise temperature and time guidelines to achieve that desirable crispy crust and soft, chewy interior.
Sourdough baking is more than just a cooking process; it’s a form of art that harkens back to ancient traditions. By utilizing the expert advice from the La Brea Bakery cookbook, the high-quality ingredients like the organic unbleached flour from Costco, and the mechanical assistance of a vintage KitchenAid mixer, along with modern tips from Little Spoon Farm, you create not just bread, but a masterpiece that is both delicious and deeply satisfying. This blend of old and new elevates the humble act of bread baking into a culinary craft that brings joy with every bite.
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