Classic Country-Style Hearth Loaf Part 1

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Title: Classic Country-Style Hearth Loaf Part 1
Categories: Polkadot, Faylen, Bread:yeast
Yield: 1 Loaf

4 oz Water
1/2 ts Dry yeast
3/4 c Flour
20 oz Water
1/2 ts Yeast
6 1/4 c Flour
1 tb Sea salt

Make the Poolish: Mix 4 oz water and 1/2 teaspoon yeast in a medium
bowl. Let stand for 1 minute, then stir with a wooden spoon to
dissolve yeast. Add the flour. Stir until the consistency of a
thick batter. Continue stirring for about 100 strokes or until the
strands of gluten come off the spoon when you press the back of the
spoon against the bowl. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a
rubber spatula. Cover with a clean damp towel or plastic wrap, and
place in a moderately warm, draft-free place until mixture is bubbly
and has increased in volume.

The longer the poolish sits, the more time it has to become vigorous
and permeated with the unmistakable aroma of wheaty fermentation.
This will give your breads full body and a rich nutlike flavor.
During a long fermentation, the poolish may rise and fall; as long as
it's bubbling, don't be concerned about the volume.

A delicious alternative to a poolish fermented at room temperature is
an even slower, cooler fermentation for 12-15 hours in the
refrigerator. The poolish will bring even greater flavor and moisture
to your final dough, and its yeast cells, having been retarded by the
cool temperature, will bring hungry vigor to the fermentation. Allow
the cold poolish to come to room temperature before using, about 2
hours.

Mix and knead the final dough: Measure out the remaining ingredients.
Bring the bowl with the poolish to your work space. the poolish
should be soupy, bubbly, and puffy and it should have a wheaty aroma.
Scrape the poolish into a large 6-quart bowl.

Add the water and yeast. Break up the poolish well with a wooden
spoon and stir until it loosens and the mixture foams slightly. Add
1 cup (5 ounces) of the flour and stir until well combined. Add the
salt and only enough of the remaining flour to make a thick mass that
is difficult to stir.

Turn out ont a well-floured work surface. The dough will be quite
sticky at first and difficult to work with. Dip your hands in flour
to prevent them from sticking.

Knead the dough by pushing it down and forward with the heel of one
hand, then pulling back from the top and folding the dough over with
the other. The dough may be very sticky at first, and it will help
to push the dough forward with the heel fo one hand and fold it over
using a dough blade. Gradually add the remaining flour as you work
the dough and knead vigorously for 15-17 minutes. If the dough
remains wet and sticky, it may be necessary to knead in additional
flour.

As the dough develops, it will become smooth, elastic, and strong.
You will feel the gluten strengthening, making the dough more
difficult to knead. Don't be afraid to really work the dough. Match
your muscle with that of the gluten. Use your legs and knees to help
you create a forward and back motion with the dough. As you work,
adding more flour as you go, the dough will become smooth, satiny,
slightly sticky. It is a common mistake to add too much flour to a
dough, making it practically dry. Don't be afraid to end up with a
slightly tacky dough. As long as the dough doesn't stick excessively
to the work surface, it's not too wet. There are three good ways to
tell if the dough is well kneaded: 1. Pull a little dough from the
mass and let it go. If is springs back quickly, it's ready. 2.
Press your finger into the dough and remove it. If the dough springs
back, it's ready. 3. Shape the dough into a ball. If it holds its
shape and does not sag, it's ready.

Continued...

From: Faylen
Date: 05-01-96 (09:04)
The Polka Dot Cottage, a BBS with a taste of home. 1-201-822-3627.

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