Attempt #2

Looking back I think I was a bit hard on myself. The bread hadn't risen and was too dense but it tasted good and had a crunchy but chewy crust. The start wasn't a success but it had promise.

A couple of days ago, after my initial attempt I decided to tweak a few things. The main problem with the first batch, I think, was the lack of yeast. I could start right from the beginning again with the raisins in the fermenting jar, but I'm inpatient and will always take a short-cut if there is one. I had the remain yeasty water from the first jar in the fridge and having decanted some off I decided that the yeast cells might need a bit more food to get them growing again (several years of a veterinary education has taught me something). Raiding the cupboards I found some honey and spooned in a dollop. I gave it a shake and forgot about it.

A telephone call and a chat about my bread earlier today reminded me that I had something brewing in the bathroom so I quickly ended the conversation, such is the importance if my bread, and went to investigate. Twisting the lid off the contents nearly fizzed all over me. I definitely think that there is more yeast in there now! A quick ten minutes later and a new mother is sitting comfortably in the warm. After another trip to the pub tonight I'll prepare the chef. Fingers crossed for bit more success this time.

I have also started a proper soughdough culture too, potentially to add to my baking woes. This relies on cultivating the natural yeasts that occur in the flour. Apparently whole wheat flour is ideal to start this process off so my Cornish gift is useful once more. I started the culture using 50g water and 50g flour on the same day I fed the yeasty water for the pain levain. Rediscovering it again today bubbles and a sour smell were obvious so I fed it again with the same amount of flour and water. The idea is to feed the culture every couple of days when there is signs of life and dispose of half each time. Give me a couple more days and hopefully it might get a bit more exciting.

On a different note all together I found out something very exciting today. Well something exciting if you live in Cambridge and like food. I'll tell more once I've done a bit of research, and taste testing, at the Cambridge Food, Garden and Produce festival tomorrow.

This is my cat Christopher who decided to come home after two nights away on an adventure. He has nothing to do with bread or baking, but he does like spicy sausages!