The Bread Experiment

MY ARTISAN BREAD experiment...

Hopefully you have already read the post on Artisan Bread. Perhaps you even watched the little video on it. Just maybe you even tried making some yourself. Well here is a blow by blow picture diary of 2 batches I did today. Wish you could smell and taste them.

I declare them a SUCCESS!

This 1st batch I decided to add dehydrated onions to it.  I didn't rehydrate them before adding to the dough. 

I started a second batch and added dehydrated apples that I re hydrated along with some cranraisins and cinnamon chips. (below)

I actually started the 1st one a few hours before the 2nd one. Notice the difference in the rise. Maybe it was the pectin in the apples, because that batch is a lot bigger?

 After the 12 hour rise, you fold it  (watch the video). I dusted the onion one with flour on the top and bottom then folded the towel over it for a 2 hour rise. (below)

 This is the apple one sitting in the towel ready for the 2 hour rise. I sprinkled oatmeal on the top and bottom of this one. (below)

note: after watching the video again, I realize I should have placed the dough ball with the seam side down, but it still turned out fine.

 After 30 minutes in the oven you remove the lids. Notice the difference in the 2 pots. The one on the left is a heavy cast iron pot. When I removed the lid it looked done and I could have or should have removed it then. But instead I gave it 5 minutes uncovered. The one on the right was ready for the next cooking process.

 The one on the left may look burnt, but it is perfectly moist and delicious inside with a perfect crunch on the outside.

The one on the right I let bake for 10 minutes with the lid off. The white is just the flour that I dusted it with.

 This is the apple, cranraisin, cinnamon bread...SO GOOD!

 This is the Artisan Bread with added dehydrated onions. EXCELLENT!

Once you try it you will be hooked. I taught my daughter who in turn taught her friend who confessed her addition to me. She said she had made 9 loaves in less then a week. She was addicted to its simplicity and deliciousness. You will be too.

The beauty of it is that it is just Flour, Salt, Yeast and Water.

Then once you master it, go ahead and add other ingredients to make it customised to compliment your meal.