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Have you ever heard of artisan bread? Well, just in case you didn't, I "Googled it", lol, and found this definition:
"An artisan baker is a craftsperson who is trained to the highest ability to mix, ferment, shape and bake a hand crafted loaf of bread. They understand the science behind the chemical reactions of the ingredients and know how to provide the best environment for the bread to develop."
So, think you've basically gotten the picture now? Okay, then let's get you on your way to making that perfect artisan bread!
Step 1: Read Thoroughly
Yup, it's just like you're studying for a test: you can't expect to pass with an "A" grade unless you've actually taken the time to read and know the material well. So, it's no different when it comes on to making that artisan bread that you've always looked at in admiration, and wanted to bring home to your table without having to travel to some European country to get it, or pay up to your eyeballs in some big-chain grocery store!
But that doesn't mean you have to read "every bread book you've ever encountered". Pick one reliable bread book and read it from start to finish. This should give you the right idea on techniques and tools to make the perfect artisan bread.
Step 2: Use The Best Ingredients
This tip may seem more obvious or even unnecessary than not, but, I urge you, if you're serious about making the best homemade artisan breads, then you should invest in the following ingredients:
Organic Flour, Pure Water, Salt With No Additives (eg. Kosher Salt), Fresh Yeast, or Instant Yeast that you've frozen.
Step 3: Sprinkle In Flour And Mix Vigorously
Yup, you've got to "put your back into it"! Expert bakers urge that you sprinkle in a little bit of flour at a time, and then get to mixing...vigorously! This allows the dough to become "whipped" and works in all the gluten. It's best if you exercise this technique, in a wide, shallow bowl. Make sure that you save back one cup of the flour, to be added when you start kneading the dough on a floured surface.
Step 4: Let it Rest
Everything needs a "break", right? Lol, well that principle applies to the dough for your artisan bread too! This "nap time" for your dough takes place during the kneading process, and actually allows you to shave down your kneading time considerably! Put a little water on the dough during this break-time, because this will allow the dough to rest and absorb it, and become more pliable and able to be molded into shape when you're ready again. Add the salt after the dough has rested, because this stiffens the dough again, getting it ready for the baking process.
Step 5: Allow Your Dough To Rise
You've probably heard this fact before, but I'll say it again: the longer your dough gets to rise, the better the bread will be when it's baked! So, allow even hours for you dough to rise, and you're well on your way to creating the perfect artisan bread!
Do you have any other tips that you'd like to share that'll help us make better artisan breads?!
"An artisan baker is a craftsperson who is trained to the highest ability to mix, ferment, shape and bake a hand crafted loaf of bread. They understand the science behind the chemical reactions of the ingredients and know how to provide the best environment for the bread to develop."
So, think you've basically gotten the picture now? Okay, then let's get you on your way to making that perfect artisan bread!
Step 1: Read Thoroughly
Yup, it's just like you're studying for a test: you can't expect to pass with an "A" grade unless you've actually taken the time to read and know the material well. So, it's no different when it comes on to making that artisan bread that you've always looked at in admiration, and wanted to bring home to your table without having to travel to some European country to get it, or pay up to your eyeballs in some big-chain grocery store!
But that doesn't mean you have to read "every bread book you've ever encountered". Pick one reliable bread book and read it from start to finish. This should give you the right idea on techniques and tools to make the perfect artisan bread.
Step 2: Use The Best Ingredients
This tip may seem more obvious or even unnecessary than not, but, I urge you, if you're serious about making the best homemade artisan breads, then you should invest in the following ingredients:
Organic Flour, Pure Water, Salt With No Additives (eg. Kosher Salt), Fresh Yeast, or Instant Yeast that you've frozen.
Step 3: Sprinkle In Flour And Mix Vigorously
Yup, you've got to "put your back into it"! Expert bakers urge that you sprinkle in a little bit of flour at a time, and then get to mixing...vigorously! This allows the dough to become "whipped" and works in all the gluten. It's best if you exercise this technique, in a wide, shallow bowl. Make sure that you save back one cup of the flour, to be added when you start kneading the dough on a floured surface.
Step 4: Let it Rest
Everything needs a "break", right? Lol, well that principle applies to the dough for your artisan bread too! This "nap time" for your dough takes place during the kneading process, and actually allows you to shave down your kneading time considerably! Put a little water on the dough during this break-time, because this will allow the dough to rest and absorb it, and become more pliable and able to be molded into shape when you're ready again. Add the salt after the dough has rested, because this stiffens the dough again, getting it ready for the baking process.
Step 5: Allow Your Dough To Rise
You've probably heard this fact before, but I'll say it again: the longer your dough gets to rise, the better the bread will be when it's baked! So, allow even hours for you dough to rise, and you're well on your way to creating the perfect artisan bread!
Do you have any other tips that you'd like to share that'll help us make better artisan breads?!
