21-03-25

Morning, lovely readers!  How did your yesterday go?  It was glorious here, warm and sunny, almost summery, and when I went out, I just wore a cardigan, no coat was needed.

Chris and I had a good old natter before I got the bus into town to have that fairly long overdue blood test and, when that was done, I only had to wait a short time before a bus came along to get me back home again.  It was pleasant in the sunshine - I must go in a bit more often when the weather is good.

I drove over to Lindsey's and, apart from the personal training, the microwave combi is now on the side and cooked yesterday's dinner.  I have to get used to the temperatures and it operates very differently to my old one which was much simpler, but I'll get there and Lindsey sent me the link to the online manual so it shouldn't be a problem.

It has three main functions, microwave, grill and convection or a combination so it will be fun trying things out.

I woke Bubbles to start the first sourdough loaf which has been sitting on the side all night for the 'bulk ferment' which I usually call the first rise.  It really is a long and slow process.

After refreshing your starter and letting it grow, you put all the ingredients in a bowl and give it a good mix.  It looks very ragged but that's OK, you just leave it for an hour to hydrate the flour.  This bit was the hardest work, I think - I could use Thermione but wanted to do it all by hand this first time.

Then you don't knead in the conventional way, you do a series of pulls and folds over several hours, leaving it to relax, covered, between times before giving it a final pull and fold, covering it and leaving it on the side for the bulk ferment.  I gather, if it is very hot weather, you can pop it into the fridge overnight.

As I went through the pulls and folds, the dough became increasingly smooth and silky feeling - it felt so lovely and much less work than the way one kneads yeast bread.

So, after that last pull and stretch and re-covering (I used a shower cap!), I left it on the side and went to bed . . 

. . . and when I came down this morning, magic had happened!  I was almost shocked!!

Good old Bubbles.

I was a bit afraid it had over risen but no, it responded really well to one more set of pulls and folds , it didn't stick to my fingers and now the hopefully tight ball of dough is in the banneton.

Like this.

Now it is covered again and in the fridge as per the instructions where it should slowly rise and be ready to score and bake when I get back from Slimming World.  I'm doing a cold bake when you heat the oven with the dough already in.

The instructions have worked well so far so I am going to trust them in this too.  Fingers are crossed.

And, in the meanwhile, Squeak is being a good little sourdough starter, doing everything expected, and has just had her first discard and feed.

Tomorrow, or maybe later on today, I plan to make something with the mixed discards from Bubbles and Squeak.

OK, so that's that.  I'll let you know how it goes.

Today, being Friday, is Slimming World day so I will be there at 8:15 to help Heidi get set up.  I have a very small shop to do but I think I will come home after SW, do the baking, etc, and do my shop either this afternoon or tomorrow - or maybe both.  I want to go to Aldi for the food bank stuff but Morrisons for my shop because they have what I need.

And that, with the blood pressure readings, is what is happening today.  Plenty of time for housework - what a shame, eh?

Have a great day and take care.  xx