Since we have isolated ourselves at home we have seen a lot of delicious homemade bread in friends' posts, and beautiful bakers that we don't know yet, thanks to Instagram and other social networks.
And we understand it. Baking bread specifically appeals at a time like this: carbohydrate cravings, comfort, heat, safety, control ... Just what we need.
"There's nothing like doing things with your own hands," says Erin Slonaker, a baker known as @brooklynsourdough on Instagram who has literally broken bread on television with Martha Stewart. “You have a sense of accomplishment and control in a world out of control. And it gives you a bit of comfort knowing that if all else fails, you can stick around. Also, the bread is delicious, and if you play with the way you write down the loaves, it can also be beautiful. ”
Today we focus on sourdough, as it is the most challenging of many bread recipes, but the equipment we have selected works for any type of bread baking and also for other kitchen uses.
Dry ingredients
"There are only four ingredients in one loaf of sourdough bread: flour, water, salt and yeast," explains Slonaker. “And the yeast ferments into flour and water. So, to make a loaf of bread, all you need is flour, water and salt. ”
Brooklyn blogger Sourdough uses a mix of wholemeal and baker's flour for her sourdough, but she knows that some grocery stores are low on flour. So if you prefer plain flour, or that's all you can find, it's fine too. Make sure, yes. store the flour tightly after opening.
Progressive Sugar And Flour ProKeeper Combo ($ 35.99; amazon.com)
This handy 5-pound airtight container has a clever hinged lid and leveling spoon.
What is sourdough?
To make this type of bread, you need a sourdough, "a liquid yeast that you keep regularly fed in order to use," Slonaker explains. "It is made up of wild yeasts, mainly from the flour itself," he says.
The conventional yeast you can buy at the store is a different strain that has been cultivated and provides much more consistent results, and is required in many bread recipes, making it an ingredient you also want to have on hand. However, sourdough is the opposite of consistent, and it's a project that takes a few days, maybe even a week or two, depending on your elements.
"The sourdough is basically alive, and can be delicate and subject to mood swings!" Slonaker warns. "You can start yours only with wheat flour and water, but the initial stages of sourcing create a lot of flour, so don't go for it unless you have a decent supply in your pantry."
If you're ready to do it, check out the Slonaker tutorial. You just have to accurately measure its ingredients and mix them.
Tools for working sourdough
Ozeri Pro Digital Kitchen Scale ($ 4.99; amazon.com)
"A crucial element is a digital scale for measuring ingredients," says Slonaker. "You need to feed the dough with the same weight of water and flour, and it's incredibly difficult to estimate that without a scale."
3-Piece Pyrex Glass Measuring Cup Set ($ 17.99; amazon.com)
"I love using these Pyrex measuring cups. They come in a variety of sizes. I like to use a 4-cup one for the sourdough from a loaf of bread, and a 2-cup one just to feed it, ”says the baker.
3-Piece Silicone Spatula Set ($ 7.49; amazon.com)
You can mix your sourdough with almost any mixing tool - Slonaker likes to use a spatula. This set of classic spatulas will come in handy beyond bread baking.
Fido 1-Liter Clamp Jar - Bormioli Rocco ($ 15.39; amazon.com)
Slonaker sometimes uses a large Mason jar to mix his entree. This Italian glass jar with a clamp works well and can be used for storing dry goods once you have finished your bread project.
Mason Cash Cane Mixing Bowl ($ 31.95; amazon.com)
Made of natural clay and oven safe at 500 degrees, this is a versatile, solid, and, yes, beautiful piece that will wear forever.
The instructions for the starter ask to discard part of it periodically and "feed" it, or mix it again with fresh flour and water. In these times of supply shortages, you can also save that part to discard and share it with a friend. “Just do the exchange carefully, keeping the social distance! The sourdough can also be easily dried, crumbled and shipped in a package, ”says Slonaker.
Once you have finished mixing your sourdough, you can transfer it into a nice, airtight jar or container.
Le Creuset Kitchen Canister ($ 25.95; amazon.com)
Like all Le Creuset products, this boat feels luxurious in your hands, and the "Caribbean" color is reminiscent of a relaxing ocean scene.
Knead
Once your sourdough is ready, you have what you need to make a batch of dough. One of Slonaker's favorite recipes is this but keep in mind that it takes one day to prepare the dough and another to bake. Patience is a virtue.
3-Piece Stainless Steel Non-Slip Mixing Bowls ($ 32.95; amazon.com)
Slonaker mixes and kneads his dough in a stainless steel bowl. This set is good for all the mixing needs you'll have in the coming weeks.
Containers to let the dough rise
Once you've made your dough using your fabulous sourdough bread dough (or your own favorite bread recipe), you're ready to let it rise, and of course there are special containers for this purpose.
Frieling 10-Inch Round Sprout Bread Lifting Basket ($ 34; amazon.com)
Slonaker likes to use a basket that helps a bread crust keep its shape while resting before baking. Your favorite basket is 10 inches in diameter, like this one, but it depends on the size and shape you want to give your bread; There are many options out there.
Baked!
Once your dough has grown and is ready to bake, you want it to look pretty. That's where the "marking" comes in: serious bakers use a tool like a razor to draw a pattern on the dough. Slonaker is famous for its artistic marking; Here is a video he has shared to show you how to get started.
Baker of Seville Bread Lame ($ 15.92; amazon.com)
This professional marker helps you draw precise lines and swirls on your beautiful loaf of bread. It comes with its own case and two additional blades.
Baking containers
Lodge 6-Quart Round Non-Stick Cast Iron Dutch Oven ($ 64.49; amazon.com)
"A 6-quart round Dutch oven is sufficient for most breads," says Slonaker. She uses one like this for her round loaves.
Le Creuset Heritage 4-Quart Oval Covered Casserole ($ 79.95; amazon.com)
Slonaker uses a Le Creuset oval saucepan for his batards - long loaves.
To serve
Wüsthof Gourmet 8 Inch Bread Knife ($ 59.99; amazon.com)
If you don't already have a standard 8-inch serrated-edge bread knife, now is the time.
Note: The above prices reflect the price at the time of article posting.