Better Bread

I have for some time wanted to improve my breadmaking skills, so spurred by the new TV show The Fabulous Baker Brothers I have made attempts to up my game. I can make a decent everyday loaf but what I like to eat is proper Artisan bread, I have come to rely on the bread maker for convenience but prefer the look of a hand made loaf. I have a really good book called simply 'Bread' by Eric Treuille and Ursula Ferrigno.

I have had this book for some time and only so far used it as bedtime reading................until today. I have made the above loaf , it's called a 'Broa' which is a Portuguese cornmeal bread. As part of my buy local challenge I have been buying my flour at a local windmill, I have been known to buy bread here too! I believe they offer courses in bread making too, using a traditional wood fired oven which appeals to me. These baguettes are a french rye bread called 'Pain de Seigle', my first (and rather long winded) attempt at bread requiring a starter.


I do kind of feel like I have been cooking all day, but the oven was only actually on for 45minutes, and all the jobs were spread out across the day and other things done in between. Both lots have been tasted and are lovely, we will have the baguettes (one was half eaten before its photo opportunity) with pasta tomorrow. I have also as a result of today's experiments ordered another book on bread making, this has excellent reviews and is something I have known about for a while but never tried. Will report back with the results when it arrives.