Sourdough Molasses Brown Bread Food

SOURDOUGH MOLASSES BROWN BREAD

Steps:

• Place all of the ingredients in the bowl of a stand mixer. Using the dough hook knead for about 10 minutes. Check for gluten development. If it is not at windowpane yet, let rest for 10 minutes then knead again for 5 minutes. Repeat as many times as it requires to achieve windowpane development.
• Once the dough is a slightly sticky but cohesive mass and has achieved windowpane development, cover and let rise until double for about 8-10 hours.
• When the dough has doubled prepare two loaf pans with a light greasing and dusting of flour.
• Dump dough out onto a lightly floured counter and shape into loafs. Place in the loaf pans and cover (I put them inside a clean garbage bag and twist it trapping air inside so that the bag isn't touching the loaves). Let proof in the covered pans for another 6-8 hours or until they have reached the top of the pans or a little over the top of the pans.
• When the final proofing is done preheat the oven to 400*f and brush the tops of the loaves with melted butter or cream.
• Bake at 400*f for 10 minutes then turn the oven down to 375*f and bake another 20-30 minutes for a total of 30-40 minutes. Or until fragrant and browning.
• Take out of the oven and let stand for 5 minutes then turn out of the pans and let cool the rest of the way. Enjoy!

SOURDOUGH BROWN BREAD

Steps:

• If using an ABM, place ingredients in bread machine pan in order according to the manufacturer's specifications.
• Select dough cycle and press start.
• If using KitchenAid mixer, or doing by hand, combine all ingredients and knead.
• Turn dough out onto lightly floured surface and shape into desired loaf.
• Place in greased loaf pan and let rise, covered, until dough has doubled.
• Uncover and bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes, or until bread sounds hollow when tapped.
• Immediately remove from pan and let cool on wire rack.
• For a soft crust, brush top with melted butter.

WHOLEMEAL SOURDOUGH LOAF

Steps:

• To make a sourdough starter: whisk 50g of the strong white flour and 50g of the strong wholemeal flour with 100ml slightly warm water until smooth. Transfer to a large jar or plastic container. Leave the lid ajar for 1 hr or so in a warm place, then seal and set aside for 24 hours. For the next six days, you will need to 'feed' it. Each day, tip away half the original starter, add an extra 25g of each flour and 50ml slightly warm water, and stir well. After a few days you should start to see bubbles on the surface, and it will smell yeasty. On day seven, the starter should be bubbly and smell much sweeter. It is now ready to be used.
• To make the sourdough bread: tip both the flours, 325ml warm water, the salt and the starter into a bowl, or a mixer fitted with a dough hook. Stir with a wooden spoon, or on a slow setting in the mixer until combined - add extra flour if it's too sticky or a little warm water if it's dry. Tip onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 10 mins until soft and elastic - you should be able to stretch it without it tearing. If you're using a mixer, turn up the speed a little and mix for 5 mins.
• Place the dough in a floured bowl and cover with cling film. Leave in a warm place to rise for 3 hrs. You may not see much movement, as sourdough takes much longer to rise.
• Line a medium bowl with a clean tea towel and flour it really well or flour a proving basket. Tip the dough back onto your work surface and knead briefly to knock out any air bubbles. Shape the dough into a smooth ball and dust it with flour.
• Place the dough, seam-side up, in the bowl or proving basket, and leave at room temperature for 3 hrs, or in the fridge overnight, until risen by about a quarter.
• Place a large baking tray in the oven and heat to 230C/210C fan/gas 8. Fill a small roasting tin with water and place in the bottom of the oven to create steam. Remove the tray from the oven, sprinkle with flour, then tip the dough onto it.
• Slash the top a few times with a sharp knife to make a pattern, then bake for 35-40 mins until golden brown. It should sound hollow when tapped on the bottom. Leave to cool on a wire rack before slicing.