I spent the day at the dentist and then grocery stores. I’m cheap enough that I go and pick what I want at each store. Got some shrimp for $4 a pound! I couldn’t pass that one up. Sam’s Club usually has the best lettuce. And Aldi’s has staples, I stocked up on flour because I’m trying to learn to make French bread. Again. I have enough bread crumbs so I hope I actually figure it out this time.
My plan is typically to learn how to make something with white flour. And vital wheat gluten and barley malt. Then I move to whole wheat, to see how much whole wheat can I get away with. I would love to make a whole wheat ciabatta but I can’t seem to get those big holes once I go past more than a little bit of whole wheat.
“I’m cheap enough that I go and pick what I want at each store.”
I hope those stores are right next door to each other. The way I look at it, is you probably spend more on gas to go to ALL those stores then the savings you get on groceries.
Besides I am lazy and HATE shopping. :-)
It might help to add an extra egg to your recipe when using whole wheat.
If you’re looking for a soft, pillowy texture in your bread, it helps to take 2 tablespoons of the flour, mix it with the liquid you’re using, and heat it until it forms a smooth paste. Then let that cool and continue with your recipe as usual. Somehow that changes the way the gluten forms and makes a huge difference.