Mixing Machine

In the quest for an even better sourdough loaf I have started experimenting with a mixing machine (a Kenwood Prospero, it's not wonderful but it was relatively cheap). The reason for this is that a wetter, stickier dough, produces a nicer open crumb but it is almost impossible to knead a wet sticky dough by hand, hence the machine.

I have now reached, what I think is the ultimate recipe (based on my better sourdough recipe (on page 25 if you've got the book):

400g strong white bread flour

100ml sourdough starter

275ml filtered water

Make a sponge mixture of half of the flour and all of the starter and water and leave to ferment overnight in the mixing bowl covered with clingfilm.

In the morning add the other half of the flour (and a pinch of salt if you wish) and mix on the slowest speed for five to ten minutes until the dough looks smooth and silky.

Use a spatula to scrape it out into a Lekue (or bread tin) as it's too runny to form into a loaf. Put it in the over covered with clingfilm, to rise for about two and a half hours or roughly doubled in size.

Remove clingfilm and bake at 220C (180C fan) for 30 minutes.

Remove loaf from Lekue and bake for another 25 minutes until nice and golden.

Turn oven off and leave the loaf in the cooling oven for another 5 minutes, then place it on a rack to cool. This is the one I made yesterday morning:

Salt

In the spirit of the age I am experimenting with reducing the amount of salt I add to a loaf. I am down to about a small pinch (two small twists of a sea salt mill) and so far no problems. If anything the loaf has a nicer, more open crumb and a crisper crust. The only downside is that it the loaf gets stale a bit sooner once it is cut open but I've started to slice up any loaf left the day after baking and freezing it. It's great for toast.