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Jeremy Cherfas

Ave Fornax!

Ave Fornax!

Ave Fornax!

@tavolamediterranea has decreed that today is the start of Fornacalia, which I am celebrating with a very un-Roman bread. At least, I don't think the Romans ever baked with rye. And certainly not sunflower seeds.

This is the 100% rye sourdough with a sunflower seed soaker from @raleighstreetbaker reduced to what is, for me, a more manageable quantity. Link to full recipe in bio.

Jeremy Cherfas

I have enormous admiration for John F. Appleby, who in the 1870s perfected a machine that would tie a knot in twine, thus enabling a machine to bind sheaves of grain together and setting in motion the giant combine harvesters that enable our daily bread.

Jeremy Cherfas

Currently reading: Our Daily Bread by Predrag Matvejević, ISBN: 9781912545094



-fiction




Jeremy Cherfas

Delighted to learn that Subway bread in Ireland is cake, in the same way that Jaffa Cakes are cake, at least as far as VAT is concerned.

Jeremy Cherfas

And all that dough gets you 8 loaves of bread.

And  all that dough gets you 8 loaves of bread.

And all that dough gets you 8 loaves of bread.

Jeremy Cherfas

A friend and bread client gave me a bag of Khorasan flour, so not Kamut, but, with a tacit request, later confirmed, that I baker a loaf

A friend and bread client gave me a bag of Khorasan flour, so not Kamut, but, with a tacit request, later confirmed, that I baker a loaf

A friend and bread client gave me a bag of Khorramshahr flour, so not Kamut, but, with a tacit request, later confirmed, that I baker a loaf.

So, here goes. I fed my 75% wholewheat starter, thinking this would be whole too. It isn’t, but that’s ok. Kneads up oK, with a nice pale yellow cast. Seems a bit weak though, even though the packet said 14% protein. Obviously not that great for gluten. We shall see.

Jeremy Cherfas

One of the most satisfying things about coming home after a holiday is giving all the microbiology a bit of love so it can return the favour

One of the most satisfying things about coming home after a holiday is giving all the microbiology a bit of love so it can return the favour

Starters refreshed and one used to produce a simple white bread with 5% each whole wheat and whole rye. I’ll use the other one in a day or two, and see to the yoghurt tomorrow.

Jeremy Cherfas

I am amazed and saddened by the number of beginner bakers I see in forums saying that their bread tasted fantastic but didn't rise enough, or didn't have giant holes, or didn't a shiny crust, or whatever.

Just eat it.

Bread porn too has a lot to answer for.

Jeremy Cherfas

Jeremy Cherfas