Category: Bread

1. Czech Christmas Bread - Vanocka

   Posted on 8:25pm Saturday 2nd Nov 2019

   

   Recently I've been asked to come up with a traditional sweet bread recipe for Christmas. The challenge was to come up with a recipe for a special friend staying with my student's family over Christmas. Their friend is originally from Slovak Republic, which send me on search to find out the really traditional bakes from this particular country.

2. Bread Making Equipment

   Posted on 11:28am Friday 1st Nov 2019

   

   It's been a long time coming, but finally after many years of bread baking and trying different bread baking equipment, I've put together the minimum you need to get started baking bread at home.

   Over the years, I have been asked what's my favourite piece of bread making equipment and what I could not be without. So, here is my take on the Bread Baking Starter Kit:

3. Is sourdough bread good for weight loss?

   Posted on 12:00pm Tuesday 8th Oct 2019

   

   One question we often get asked during our sourdough bread baking class is 'Is sourdough bread good for weight loss?'.

   Since we already know that swapping a home baked bread for shop bought is always a good idea, I wanted to find out more about the benefits of eating sourdough bread.

4. 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!

5. Cinnamon Pretzel Recipe

   Posted on 12:00pm Wednesday 14th Aug 2019

    

   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.

6. Help! My Bread Tins Stick!

   Posted on 4:55pm Monday 22nd Apr 2019

    

    

   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?