Category: Bread

1. Quick sourdough bread recipe without starter

   Posted on 12:00pm Wednesday 28th Aug 2019

   

   First of all - and just to put everyone mind at rest - there is no such thing as true sourdough bread that's 'quick' or can be made without a sourdough starter. Yes, you can make sourdough bread without a starter, for example, San Francisco Sourdough Bread. This bread is made from 'scratch' without 'starter', but it takes about seven days to make as you gradually increase the amount of fermenting dough. The flavour is amazing, and it's certainly worth making an effort to make this bread. So, whilst made without a sourdough starter, it's certainly not quick!

2. Is sourdough bread gluten free ?

   Posted on 12:00pm Monday 30th Jul 2018

   

   When I run my sourdough bread baking courses, I often get asked criptical questions from my curious students. The answers to some of the questions like: 'Is sourdough bread gluten free ?' initially seem very obvious, but strangely enough when you dig a little deeper the answer is not that clear cut.

   So, first of all to satisfy your curiosity to know whether sourdough bread is gluten free, well, of course it depends on what type of flour you use! Since it's very difficult to bake a true sourdough bread from completely gluten free flour, traditional sourdough breads are not gluten free.

3. How to set up your own micro bakery

   Posted on 11:40am Monday 23rd Jul 2018

   

   I have just finished designing my latest workshop - 'How to set up your own microbakery'.  I know that loads of people have been waiting for this, but I wanted to make sure that the course was comprehensive, practical and super useful, so it took me little longer then I originally anticipated. You can find out more about the course here and book your place. 

4. Cinnamon Pretzel Recipe

   Posted on 12:00pm Wednesday 17th Jan 2018

    

   This is really easy and fairly simple recipe for soft cinnamon pretzels. This is the american version (with UK measurements), which is soft and fluffy, unlike the german style traditional hard pretzels.

   I got into making pretzels when I tasted the most amazing cinnamon pretzel from a street stall in London. The taste is just so delicious, sweet and slightly chewy. Althought there is a bit of preparation involved, it's pretty easy recipe to make. We normally bake a batch of pretzels on Sunday and it's great fun to bake with children too. This recipe is for cinnamon pretzels, which is the simpliest versions of filling (or toppings if you like), but you can swap it for chocolate, peanut butter or any other topping you fancy.

5. Help! My Bread Tins Stick!

   Posted on 4:55pm Wednesday 10th Jan 2018

    

    

   How to remove bread from sticking bread tin? This is a question I'm often asked at my Bread Baking Courses.  It's not a problem if you are baking traditional breads like sourdough, but if you want a nice sandwich loaf, you do need to use a bread tin. It's not really an issue, if you are using modern cake loaf tins, which are usually non-stick, but it could be a huge problem if you have an older tins or like me like to use a vintage and professional bread baking tins.
   

    

   So, what can you do to prevent your bread from sticking to the bread tin? Well this is what I have tried and tested. And yes, like you I was standing with a hot bread tin trying to shake it out (and believe me swearing doesn't really work).  So what does?

6. Bread Making Tips

   Posted on 12:00pm Wednesday 3rd Jan 2018

   

   My top bread baking tips:

   Based on my 18 years of experience of baking bread for my family, friends and customers, here are my favourite tips on getting each loaf perfect every time.

   How to get your bread perfect every time!

   It’s interesting how people are often very confident when baking cakes and bakes, but when it comes to baking bread people think it’s some sort of black art, where everything needs to be just spot on and all measured perfectly.

   To some extent that’s true, but once you master a few basic things, bread baking is actually a lot more forgiving than making cakes.