Just used the Julia Childs focaccia recipe again but made the three loaves into bagettes, instead of the flat bread. Major screw up was my broiler came on and burnt the top of the loaves. Other than that they were very good. Actually, real good. . . . Where the recipe called for 3 TBS of active dry yeast I only used 1/4 ounce each time. Yeast worked well, and the first rise was real good, more than 100 percent. Second rise not that great. And the final rest before baking was about like to the second rise, guessing 50 percent.. .. . nothing to write home about. . . . The bagettes did rise alot during baking. Since no sugar is used in the recipe, I am wondering if that is the reason for the slow 2nd and final rises. Nothing to feed the yeast. I guess I should go by the recipe and just go ahead and use the 3 TBS yeast. Should solve all the problems. There is a 36 hour refrigeration period for the three balls, after the dough is kneaded into membrane like window consistency. Then the rises. . . . Major problem is the 3 loave have a real tough time lasting 2.5 days.
- posted
15 years ago