05 October 2007

Baking Theory Notes: Mixing Geekdom 2

Popular Dough Styles Methods of mixing dough, in bakery settings. If you analyze your home recipes procedure, you may notice most of your home bread or pastry recipes might mirror:" sponge & dough" or " straight dough" methods.



*Sponge & Dough Method


Very widely made.

--->Basic Formulation / Procedure:
  1. Mix half of the flour, yeast , malt , water @ <72°f> = sponge.
  2. Let it rise 3½ hours --- shake it, if it is done it will drop away from the sides.
  3. Remove sponge from your container, add to mixer with remaining flour, salt etc.
  4. Mix until gluten is developed.
  5. Bake
Advantages of Sponge & Dough method :
  • Better Flavor
  • Flexible --- In sponge stage you can leave sitting on the bench.
  • Better (tighter) crumb
{ This equals to ( 2) mix s and (2 ) fermentations {one in bowl , one in oven}

*Straight Dough Method
  1. 1 mix
  2. 1 fermentation
Advantages of Straight Dough Method:
  • Faster
  • Uses less electricity
  • Easier on equipment
  • Less Labor
*No-time Straight Dough Method
No fermentation. Additives cause "rise" activating Enzymes that normally developed during fermentation.
Basic Formulation / Procedure:

  1. Mix ingredients. Warm up the dough (i.e via mixing friction)
  2. Add more yeast
  3. Add Fructose (yeast can eat this faster)
  4. No Rounding --- Scale & put into pans to bake
Disadvantages of No-time Straight Dough Method:
  • Flavor IS compromised (from lack of fermentation)
  • Bad shelf life (unless you add additives)
  • No flexibility --- from mixer to oven (reminds me of "from zero to sixty")
For more info on dough related baking info go here.

23 August 2007

Baking Theory Notes: Fermentation Chemistry 4

Fermentation

Remember: Fermentation starts when the mixer stops!


Control Fermentation through:

  1. Temperature
  2. Time
What happens during the fermentation process?
  • Gas is produced --> Carbon Dioxide {When Dough is mixed gas is caught by the gluten and the gas rises}
  • (water & flour cause enzyme activation)
  • Gluten is modified --> Dough becomes balanced so dough is workable : Elasticity --> Extendability
  • Flavor is developed (Acidity)
  • Alcohol is developed ("Alcoholic fermentation")
*To test the "alcoholic fermentation" theory ---> when you are ready to mix your formula, open a starter, either one retarded or left on the bench (Ciabatta or Croissant are especially potent!), lean in --- (as a former instructor would explain: "you rip back- because alcohol has hit your brain", he had such a big grin when he said this ) I am telling you --- it'll knock your socks off. The more "bake-tarded" (my own baker slang) you become, the more you anticipate smelling those starters! Ha HA!



Enzymes:

fermentation chemistry simplified
click here to see a bigger sized diagram of the chemical changes of fermentation.

Definition:
Biochemical Catylist: an organic substance formed by living cells (yeast), is able to cause changes in other substances {i.e bacteria, fungus or both } without changing it's self .

yeast cell budding



Diastatic = has enzymes
Non-diastatic = enzymes have been killed

Diastic Enzymes:

---> Supplied by flour / or Malt (sugar)
  1. Alpha-Amalase works on Amylose ---> Converted to Dextrin (sugar)
  2. Beta-Amalase works on Amylopectin ---> Converted to Maltose (sugar)
*These diastic enzymes are important because they work on STARCH.
---> Wheat is 70% starch (bran is protein)

Starch:

--->Amylose --->
--->Amylopectin--->

Diastatic Enzymes from flour (from milling) work on the damaged starch (i.e gelatinized (from heat / baking) and convert it to sugar (2% of starches) .

End result is mostly Maltose. Yeast cannot metabolize maltose.

  1. Maltase (enzyme) ---> converts to Fructose, Dextrose / Glucose)
  2. Sucrose [beet or cane] (granulated sugar) ---> Converts into Glucose
  3. Invertase (enzyme from yeast) ---> converts Glucose into Sucrose

Yeast takes maltose (enzyme) and converts it into Fructose, Dextrose / Glucose {allows yeast to eat it).

These processes take place if:
  1. Optimal Temperature
  2. Right moisture Content
  3. Allowed Optimal time
Zymase (yeast) ---> Reacts with simple sugars and injects CO2 into the dough causing it to rise. Produces alcohol.

Simple Sugars:
  1. Fructose = CO2
  2. Glucose = CO2
  3. Dextrose = CO2
Proteolytic Enzymes
  1. All from flour
  2. Can be found with Diastatic Enzymes
---> Protease ---> Converts protein ---> Modifies the gluten so dough is workable (softens and makes extendable)

*Over mixing dough will break dough down into "slime". I've seen this happen, it ain't pretty. Kinda resembles the stay puff marshmallow man (as the ghostbusters cross streams)
when he is obliterated --- a bumpy, jiggly white mass. yuck.

05 August 2006

Photography : stage of the knot rolls' makeup 2

stage of the knot rolls makeup, originally uploaded by Amber *.


11 July 2006

Photog : Windows -The soul of Dough 0

There is no gluten structure in this dough --- lots of holes and the dough breaks away when pulled because it needs further mixing to develop the gluten.


The Window: A meshing of gluten strands!
Tight like a drum --- the gluten strands have become meshed and the dough is done mixing. If you tap this "window" --- it will hold up and bounce back without tearing.


A Window - meshing of gluten strands!

05 February 2006

Recipe : Gulab Jamun | Indian Sweets 2

Gulab Jamun. An Indian treat

gu·lab ja·mun
(plural gu·lab ja·muns)

Indian dessert: Deep-fried dough served in a sugar syrup flavored with rose water.

[ Hindi translation = [gulāb] ="rose water" + [ jāmun]= "fruit"]

Indian sweets are generally based on thickened milk (khoya) and rice flour ---" Chaval ka atta" (in Hindi) or "arisi mavu" (in Tamilamil) . This combo has many uses : Crispness can be obtained if added to deep fried vegetables .

Used as a thickener in South Indian cuisine --- dishes such as kolambu, gotsu and rasa vangi which are then served with plain rice. IA thick batter can be made with urad dal for dosas and idlis. In Northern Indian cuisine it is used mainly in a pudding
called phirni .

If your path takes you to East, Middle or West India --- it is the base of various pancakes, dumplings, fried snacks and sweets.


Rice flour is also used in painting 'kolam's' or alpanas, (mandalas)
attractive designs fused with flowers on the thresh hold of traditional homes..

OR chickpea flour. --- a.k.a
Gram flour, made from chickpeas (chana dal), is used as a binding agent for Koftas (meatballs or vegetable balls), or as a batter for fritters and as the base savory snacks like Dhokla (steamed dumplings), Bonda (spiced potato curry balls dipped in a batter of besan and deep fried), or Sev (fine, fried strands or sweets like ladoos.

Besan is used in many beauty related recipes : homemade masks , face scrub and toner,It is mainly mixed with malai (cream) and drops of rose water, or plain water.


Cardamom, almond, raisin, saffron, jaggery, rose-water and a hint of camphor are some of the commonly used flavorings used to scent Indian sweets. Bengali confections are favored all over India, especially sweets which use cottage cheese (paneer) or khoya as a base ingredient.

Popular sweets are Rasogullas and Gulab jamuns, these cottage cheese and khoya balls are soaked in scented sugar syrup. Favorite Indian delicacies include Jalebi (airy and light
'curlicues' of deep fried flour, soaked in syrup). Halwa (semolina pudding), Sohan halwa are very rich, chewy, nutty candies.
I discovered my love of all food Indian, through an old friend roommate. She had been heavily influenced by her father's stint in the South Pacific, adding his pastry chefs' flair and her mother's Asian roots , which acted as a gateway for the intermingling of Asian and Indian cuisines. She favored Vegetarian dishes best. So with the meeting of this friend and as our friendship flourished, I naturally developed a love affair with Dahl and curries .

This recipe was given to me from an an aging Indian woman who frequented our neighborhood. She was very happy to pass the legacy of her food filled past , however small , as she was saddened by the lack in interest from her grand-children.


Gulab Jamun
Ingredients:

  • 4 oz. dried milk
  • 2 level tablespoons plain flour
  • pinch of bicarbonate of soda
  • 4-5 tablespoons of milk
  • 1 lb sugar
  • 2 cardamoms
  • rose water for flavoring
  • 8 oz vegetable fat for frying
Mix the dried milk, flour and bicarbonate of soda in a bowl. Add fresh milk to make a soft dough; make thin 2 in long rolls.

Heat the fat, then cool and put over a slow fire. Put as many of the rolls as the pan will hold comfortably. Cook over a very slow fire till the jamuns are pale gold and have doubled in size.

While the jamuns are frying - add the sugar and 1/2 pint of water in a sauce pan and make a thick syrup. Add the cardamoms, either coarsely ground or whole, to the syrup.

Drain the jamuns and add the syrup, let stand for 5 minutes over low heat, then take off of the fire - add 1 tablespoon of rosewater and cool.

This should make 2 dozen jamuns. Serve hot or cold.

Yummy!!

You can learn more about Indian Confections here. There is also a wikipedia entry on Gulab Jamun . It is a small paragraph --- if you have info on the history of Gulab Jamune You you might want to contribute to building of the wikipedia page.

07 January 2006

Baking Is?? 0

According to googlism.com the list below is what Baking & Pastry is, according to google --- a very interesting take on Baking. I have divided the results into subcategories. The list is compiled using the most popular phrases when the term "baking" or "pastry" is searched for on the internet.

bake 615 by Amber *


Scientific :
  • baking is math
  • baking is a great way to do mathematics since you need to combine ingredients in a certain order with a specific
  • baking is math estimated time to complete activity
  • baking is one of the most versatile of cooking techniques because it can achieve a variety of unique results
  • baking is a science
  • baking is an artisan style bakery serving desserts to the hotel
  • baking is excited to offer a new dessert that is guaranteed to heat up your sales
  • baking is the technique cooks and chefs use to pre cook a pastry
  • baking is also a cooking method which turns out goodies that are unbelievably tasty
  • baking is in the manipulation and the fermentation
  • baking is a very important unit operation in the food industry
  • baking is not an exact science
  • baking is possibly one of the oldest form of cooking
  • baking is more scientific than other cooking techniques and requires careful measuring
  • baking is a precise science and not something to which you can take a lackadaisical approach

Passion:
  • baking is as much a science as an art
  • baking is one of my joys
  • baking is an intensely creative activity
  • baking is the art of turning various items into edible food
  • baking is important too
  • baking is the language we use to tell our families and friends we love them
  • baking is in morabito family's blood

LOL!:
  • baking is terrifying
  • baking is not for you
  • baking is funny not funny ha ha
  • baking is to cut out or cut back on the nuts that you use
  • baking is on the rise
  • baking is now the thing to do to impress friends
WTF?
  • baking is easy enough for even the most culinary challenged men
  • baking is a fun skill but of somewhat limited usefulness

Philosphical:


  • baking is the food of love
  • baking is poetry to businessman's soul
  • baking is a millenium dedication to the american flour milling industry and to those who bring us our daily bread


Pastry IS??


shaping danish - Pinwheels By Amber *
Scientific :
  • pastry is tacky to touch
  • pastry is judged by the evenness of the flakes when it is baked
  • pastry is the title given to baked articles of food made of paste or having paste as a necessary ingredient
  • pastry is kneaded
  • pastry is first mixed to develop the gluten until a smooth silky dough is formed
Passion:
  • pastry is my life
  • pastry is one of the great delights of the french kitchen
  • pastry is as good as it gets
  • pastry is so good that it seems a shame to limit it use to a breakfast roll

LOL!:
  • pastry is bergin's idea of good time
  • pastry is very sticky
  • pastry is either flaky or tough
  • pastry is an elegant pastry that can be given as a chic & unique gift to anyone with a sweet tooth & impress them
  • pastry is always shrinking
  • pastry is not one of my strongest suits

Philosphical:
  • pastry is a light
  • pastry is given the correct perspective
  • pastry is like feathers



04 January 2006

Recipe: Italian Turdilli 8

I have typically generalized on this blog, spoken not too specifically, mainly I have danced around the subject of my personal life. Well for those of you readers who know a little more about me then the words that glare at you from my blog pages, those that have emailed me or had fleeting cyber conversations...You are in for a treat.

Today I will share a small glimpse into that vault of memories from my childhood. A place I keep wrapped up --- to be reviewed when sorrows over shadow my life. I breathe in the smells of wheat farmed country sides, I eye the kitchen tools and ingredients that are all too familiar --- they create the foundation of food appreciation that I have today.

Of the many cultural influences in my life, there is one tributary branching off the meandering river I call my family heritage.

This tributary is peppered with Mediterranean accents. The migration of strong, willing inhabitants across a harsh sea. There is calling from the hills, to savor seasons! Making a life, if not harvests --- there is no discrimination from vine or fowl.



My maternal great-grandparents each made their own journey to America, they shuffled through Ellis Island. Into the dirty streets of New York. In search of a place that embodied the green rolling hills they had left behind.

They eventually settled, and indeed found their rolling hills. From the descriptions I have been given their farm was something of a foodies dream --- they made their own Italian cheeses,Prosciutto,salami & Italian meats and their own wines. There were great feasts to be had.





I grew up to appreciate little jewels of Italian heritage. One of my favorite sweets are Turdillis [pronounced TOR-DEE-LL-EEs]. We would get these at the annual Italian dance and festival. They are simple , but very suitable for any palate. The wine gives them a very pleasing contrast to the honey which they are rolled in. Enjoy!

Tordilli
  1. 1 cup oil
  2. 1 1/4 cup white wine
  3. 2 cups flour, or more depending on consistency..
  4. Pinch of salt
  5. dash of nutmeg & cinnamon
  6. 3 Tablespoons fresh orange juice
  7. Plate of honey, heated for dipping
Bring oil and wine to boil, let stand for 5 minutes. Pour into a mixing bowl, add flour mixed with spices. Knead well, divide dough into thirds. Pin out (roll) to 1 1/2 inch thickness, you want long strips. Cut each strip into 2 inch pieces. Fry in deep hot oil. Cool and dip in hot honey.

26 July 2005

"OH THE SMELL OF DOUGH!" 3


"OH THE SMELL OF DOUGH!", originally uploaded by Culinarynovice.

01 July 2005

Free association : First week of Summer Term 1

Monday started with a 5 a.m wakeup. I had class at 7 a.m. It was a very odd feeling to be attending school in the month of June. We will be attending class 4 days a week (7 hrs a day), for 8 1/2 weeks, which is 3 weeks shorter than the regular school terms.

When I wondered into the bakery...I felt as if I hadn't left for the 3 week hiatus. The benches and the flour bins sat empty of clutter, lifeless and sanitary. They begged to be slapped with mounds of dough and a film of powder.

The hearth oven loomed, lifeless and cold. How odd? Students trickled in, their chef hats crisp and unfettered. So little mess.


After surviving my first and only dull week --- I say dull due to the fact that we had 2 days of Demonstrations, mainly for the new students' benefit. We were split up into groups with at least 2 new students, so that the more experienced 3rd term (me)or Management students could act as guides. I was looking for any excuse not to stand around, watching my group. I was itching to start baking again.

I have to say that Summer Term is quite different. There is no retail sales on Friday. There are only 4 stations to rotate.

And the culinary dept.(other side) actually has been cooking some decent entrées. Tender meat and veggies, flavorful sauces! These meals normally are not much about palate pleasing, as far as the line is concerned. The Banquet hall is another story, they have excellent standards (but those meals are not covered in my tuition, as the line is.)

Today we slowly moved back into production. I am in the bread station. We made some beautiful Challah (snail shaped) and Sunflower-oat, which was shaped into batards.

Sunflower-Oat breadSunflower-Oat breadchallahchallah resting

I am no longer concerned with technical jargon, I am determined to use my baking intuition. So far I have learned that my note taking has paid off, all that knowledge is soaking into me and bleeding out, like an oil to cloth.

17 June 2005

The Story of The Croissant 0

My old instructor, originally from Denmark and a long line of Bakery heritage, would talk fondly about lessons he had learned. A smile would spread from ear to ear, his eyes brimmed with excitement as he talked of bakery times. On one such occasion my group in Laminated pastry station, were gathered around the 40 qt Hobart - waiting for a batch of croissant dough to reach full development.

croissants

Do you know the story of croissant dough? A long, long , long time ago The Turks were invading Vienna. Everyone retreated to hide. As there was constant strife - many normal practices were shut down, this included Bakeries --- baking was deemed forbidden. Forming alliances Bakers made deep underground "bakeries". The Turks, while seeking a strategic attack that would overwhelm The Viennese --- found out about the bakeries , troops were ordered to start tunneling toward these secret caves.

As the tunneling neared , Fighting the Turks off with everything they could , a lone baker was able to run and alert the king's guard, and The Turks were defeated. The King told these bakers " Since you have shown such loyalty and bravery, I declare, If you create a pastry, I will patent the formula and name it for you", so out came croissant dough. Although it had quite less layers or butter as modern dough does. It also contained a small amount of egg. In Europe it is widely called "Vienna Pastry". It's Formula still can be found made today.


I have learned that to find the story behind your formulas -- it can prove quite interesting.

11 June 2005

Formula :Lemon curd , Lemon Tarts , Authentic Scottish shortbread. 5

More lemon


Perhaps that most enlightening thing about fresh lemon curd is the way it pleasures the palate. Lemon flavor that is not sickenly tart, just a mellowed, yet tangy citrus. The mouth feel is gentle but still has substance. Lemon curd makes me crave summers of my childhood, the fields ablaze with bronze and brass hues; the skies deepening atmospheric blues that cried out for a good chasing. This same sky which engulfed my small piece of earth seemed to be never ending.

In this post I will outline formulas for :


Candied Lemon slices
[can be kept refrigerated for up to 4 months; suspended in lemon simple syrup]
Authentic Scottish shortbread
{NOT the americanized version}

Fresh lemon curd
You will enjoy these....

Please note ( # = lb) These formulas are in small production batches. Please convert to 1/3 for home use.


Candied Lemon Slices :


If assembling the lemon curd tarts ---make this at least 4 hours ahead of time.

Have a plastic container w/ lid handy. These can be preserved for up to 1-2 months if properly covered and refrigerated.

Simple syrup:

4 # cold water
2 # 1/3 sugar
juice of 5 lemons


To make the simple syrup: Combine the water, lemon juice and sugar in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat.

While this is happening Thinly slice 4-5 additional lemons. You are looking for a round that is complete , Discard the ends or any pieces that are broken inside. Gently Remove seeds with the point of a paring knife.

Thin sliced lemons


Once the syrup has reached a rolling boil , turn down to low heat and add your lemon slices, lightly push into syrup with heat resistant spatula.
Allow slices to simmer in syrup for up to 10 minutes --- this allows absorption of syrup into the citrus membrane / peel . The lemons slices will appear translucent, and the white membrane will look moist.

After simmering in simple syrup.


Remove from heat. Let cool. Gently remove the slices, laying them on a paper towel. Pour the syrup into a plastic container --- then carefully lay slices into the container, make sure the upper layers are under syrup. Put lid on and refrigerate.


sliced


Lemon slices are added to boiled simple syrup


Lemon Curd :


This lemon curd formula is very good. It was passed down from an English grandmother. It takes some preparation but it is worth it! I would prepare it the day before use.




Please not this is also a small production formula -- please convert to 1/3 .

[# = lb.]

Lemon curd


Ingredients:


-- 12.5 oz Egg Yolk

1 # 4.5 oz Sugar

1 # .25 oz fresh squeezed Lemon Juice [ commercial lemon juice concentrate can be used for part of the amount , better to use all fresh]

-- 10 oz Butter

-- -- 3 Tbs, plus additional 1 Tb of lemon Zest

In non-corrosive saucepan , beat egg yolks and sugar until well blended. Add remaining ingredients except for zest. Cook over medium heat, stirring
constantly , until mixture coats the back of a wooden spoon.
DO NOT BOIL. If mixture begins to steam, pull from heat and continue to stir.

When finished, put immediately through a fine sieve, pressing with a spatula.
Discard all residues. Stir zest into curd, pour into an air tight container, cover and refrigerate.


English Shortbread:

Many shortbread formulas today are Americanized , with added shortening or lot's of sugar. This formula is authentic or what is also Called "true shortbread".

I have adjusted the ingredients for home use :

AP flour 8 oz.

Sugar 2 oz.

Butter 6 0z [COLD]


Below are ingredients for a small production batch. Use 20 qt w/ paddle.

[# = lb]

2# AP flour
-- 8 oz Granulated Sugar
1# 8 oz. Butter [COLD]

Put flour and sugar into mixing bowl. Cut butter into small pieces and add to mixing bowl. Mix in 1st speed until it forms a ball.

Block dough into a rectangle .Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for atleast 30 minutes.

To work, let warm up slightly before rolling out. Generously flour your work table. Flour top of dough . Apply pressure and pin in the center of your dough block, apply force while rocking the pin back & forth. The friction will cause the butter in the dough to soften.

Assembling Lemon Tarts :



Roll out your English shortbread dough to 1/4 of an inch, try to make it as circular as possible --- this will allow you to fill more tart shells. Place your tart shell bottom down on the shortbread. Using a paring knife cut out a circle 1/2 inch larger than the shell.

English shortbreadCircle of shortbread is cut around the edge of your tart pan



Circle is pulled awaycircle is formed into tart pan..


Lift your circle away from the main piece of dough press lightly into your tart shell --- rotating with one hand press dough into shell with your other hand.

Edge are cut off with knifeTart shells filled with shortbread - ready for bakeoff




After filling your tart shells, hold a shell in your hand - taking a paring knife in the other run the knife outward away from you, parallel with the edge of the shell rotating as you trim off the extra dough. Place prepped shells onto a baking sheet. Chill for 30 minutes.

Baked  shortbread tart shells


Blind bake tart shells for 15-20 minutes. They will be golden and slightly browned on the edges.
Fill baked tart shells with lemon curd. Take out one candied lemon slice , per tart [4 inch] more for 8", and drain on paper towel. Center the candied lemon over the lemon curd on each tart.

Adding lemon curd to shells

Dry on paper towelLemon in thin slices


Bake for 8 additional minutes, or until set. Let the baked off tarts cool. To remove from metal shell --- take small offset spatula and firmly grip it while you run it around the edge of the shell. This should loosen it. Push the bottom upward and set aside the ring. Run your spatula using the same method in an even motion -- be careful not to thrust your spatula upward and break your tart into bits.

Finished lemon tarts


Close up of the 4 inch lemon tarts


Finished tarts- out of the pan

Mmm. The 4 inch tarts are suitable for 2 people, or if you want to be gluttonous --- one for you alone. Makes for an easy flavorful treat.

01 June 2005

Photog: Hand to Dough 0


opiate 038, originally uploaded by CulinaryNovice.

I love this photograph. Not because it has the greatest technical aspects, but becuase it shows baking in it's purest form - a hand on dough, flour everywhere, hands crusty from working the dough.

28 May 2005

Baking theory Notes: Chemical leavening; Dough strengthener; Crumb softeners 0

Chemical leavening

  1. Reaction of Sodium bicarbonate (baking Soda) & An Acid
  2. [Acid + Salt + Water = Carbon dioxide gas]
  3. Baking Powder is this Formula plus a filler to retard reaction.
  1. Double Acting Baking Powder is 2 acids

- Substances that react like acids:

  1. [buttermilk]
  2. [chocolate] { kill reaction (rise) made by baking soda, that is why these are commonly used in cookie formulas}
  3. [lemon/citrus juice] { kill reaction (rise) made by baking soda, that is why these are commonly used in cookie formulas}

Dough strengthener

  1. Eggs
  2. Ascorbic Acid (vitamin C) [only additive allowed in European Production of Baguettes/French bread]
  3. Potassium Bromate ---> {outlawed in most countries , NOT the U.S} carcinogenic = causes cancer
Basic formula for bread {100% flour + 60% water + 2% salt + 2% yeast)

Crumb Softeners {click here for more info}

Function:
Surfactants, through complexly with flour protein(gluten) break the surface tension between non mixable substances.

  1. Give longer shelf life in bread [yeast raised products]
  2. emulsifier & surfactants retard the Staling.

Two ways of Staling
  1. starch molecules change & become rigid
  2. loose moisture in product becomes dry.

09 May 2005

Phtography : bread dough shaping 0


bread dough shaping
Originally uploaded by abstract2concrete.

08 May 2005

Photography : take it and shape it! 0


take it and shape it!
Originally uploaded by abstract2concrete.

Dough is scaled to the proper wieght & ready for shaping. Next it will be put on bread boards & allowed to rise.

06 May 2005

Photography : scaling bread dough 0


scaling bread dough
Originally uploaded by abstract2concrete.

04 May 2005

Photography : Bread dough is patted down to ready for scaling. 0


Bread dough is patted down to ready for scaling.
Originally uploaded by abstract2concrete.

IF you aren't careful, the dough will hurl it's self off of the work table [bench] so don't position it near the edge! Once you scrape it out of the mixing bowl, you need to gently pat it (bottem edges to top) & into a uniform blob, to then cut it with a bench scraper using a "hot dog cut" [left to right]. A hamburger cut is [up then down].

If you are scaling large batches it is much easier to divide the dough into halves or thirds, then cut the amount needed for scaling from the smaller portion.

Plus you aren't spending ineffecient time fumbling with unruly dough. (speed is always a plus when working with anything dough containing yeast - it will proof (rise) prematurely & you cannot fix that. It will ruin your bread or pastry quality.)

02 May 2005

Photography : checking dough for gluten development 1


checking dough for gluten development
Originally uploaded by abstract2concrete.

I took some photos of my class mates & the baking in action.

And For those of you new to the baking bread world -- you might have heard the term "window" , you will find out more about the mixing & fermentation process of bread dough Here.In my archives.

27 April 2005

I heart Culinary Arts 0


have a heart.
Originally uploaded by abstract2concrete.

Dedicated to Valentines day. Something about a person in chef whites using cookie cutters & making short dough hearts, makse me feel all gooey inside...

26 April 2005

Formula : Americanized Pumpernickle Bread 2

This is a small production formula. If you want to make at home you must convert the ingredients to 1/3 of the formula. [# = lb]

Sour :

  • 4# Cold water
  • 2 oz. Yeast
  • 2 oz. Malt
  • 4# High Gluten Flour
  • 2# Rye Meal or Pumpernickel

Procedure:
Mix in a 20 qt bowl with a hook, and let set out, covered with plastic, until next day.

Your sour will resemble this :
Pumpernickel Sour
AP Sour After Overnight Fermentation.
Dough:


  • 8 #   Water (cool )
  • 12oz. Honey
  • 4oz.  Instant Yeast
  • 10#  Hi Gluten Flour
  • 3#  Rye Meal 
  • 2oz.  Malt
  •  8oz.  Salt

Place water honey & sour into a 40 qt bowl.
run 035
Honey, water & AP Sour in mixer  bowl.
Mixing the Americanized pumpernickel
Mixing of the AP dough.
Add the rest of your ingredients - mixing with a hook, until smooth. Mixing time is approximately 4 minutes beyond clean up stage. Dough temp should be 78°F .
Blocking the pumpernickel dough
Blocking AP Finished Dough.
Remove the dough from the bowl, lightly flour the bench [work space] and block the dough. Divide dough using a hot dog cut [easier to scale]. Scale to 1# 3oz., round immediately.
Scaling
Scaling AP Dough to 1# 3oz.
Rounding the pumpernickel dough
Rounding AP Dough.
run 055
AP rounds on Board.
Rounds are then put on boards. Let relax 5 minutes covered.
egg washing the pumpernickel rounds
Egg washing re-rounded AP rounds.
Re-round, lay on board lined with proofing cloth, tuck proofing cloth between rows [to prevent sticking] and egg wash. Proof for 25 minutes.
run 084
Making Beehive cut in proofed AP rounds.
Once proofed, put 6 on a cornmeal prepped peeler, using a a sharp blade, make a beehive cut/swirl cut - starting from bottom, side cut upwards in a curving motion & meet 1 inch from center . Continue until you have four equal cuts, which offset each other.
Putting rounds into oven
Loading cut AP rounds into oven w/ peeler.
BAKE AT 450° F. Use "thump" test to check for correct bake-off.
Pumpernickel Bread
Baked AP rounds.
Has a fine crumb, light. Not dense at all, and not much for sharp rye flavor - more nutty. I don't care for rye, yet I loved this bread. Most people when they think of rye , they think of the hors 'd ouvres sized crouton - hard rye mini loaves you add cheese to. This bread is not at all like that. It is similar to a whole wheat.

Traditional rye is very dense, and calls for mainly rye flour. Rye flour doesn't have gluten. Hence the dense bread. It is more popular on the East coast. You won't find too much Rye bread on the West coast.

I find it funny that we as North Westeners love artisan breads and our organic, healthy lifesyles, yet can't find room on our palate to appreciate rye...

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