14
Tips
TIPS FOR BETTER BREAD MAKING
•
Check the ingredients and read the recipe
before starting to bake.
•
Measure ingredients accurately. Weighing
is more accurate than measuring by volume.
To accurately measure water please note
that 1ml water = 1g.
•
Use ingredients at room temperature.
•
Don’t use flour that contains a protein level
of less than 11%.
•
Don’t use tableware cups, jugs or spoons
for measuring.
•
Don’t use hot water or liquids as this can
kill the yeast. Water and liquids should
be added at a warm or tepid temperature.
•
Don’t use self-raising flour to make yeasted
bread unless recipe states otherwise.
•
In high altitude areas above 900m, lower
air pressure causes the dough to rise faster.
Try reducing yeast by
¼
teaspoon.
•
If the weather is hot and humid, reduce
the yeast by ¼ teaspoon to avoid over rising
of the dough.
•
Flour properties can alter on a seasonal
or storage basis, so it may be necessary
to adjust the water and flour ratio. If the
dough is too sticky, add extra flour 1
tablespoon at a time if the dough is too
dry add extra water 1 teaspoon at a time.
A few minutes is needed for these extra
ingredients to be absorbed. Dough with
the correct amount of flour and water should
form into a smooth, round ball that is damp
to the touch but not sticky.
Sponging yeast
•
Fresh or compressed yeast needs
to be ‘sponged’ (fermentation started)
before adding to the other ingredients.
•
To substitute, use three times the amount
of fresh or compressed yeast for the amount
of dry yeast in a recipe.
•
To sponge the yeast: Place the quantity
of fresh compressed yeast in the quantity
of (warmed) water from the recipe together
with 1 teaspoon sugar and 1 teaspoon
flour into a clean glass bowl, stir to dissolve
and cover with plastic wrap. Allow to stand
in a warm area (30°C) for about 30 minutes
or until the mixture starts to bubble and froth.
This mixture should be used without delay.
Warm area for rising
•
Yeast, either when sponging or in the
dough, requires warmth to rise.
•
To create a ‘warm area’ for dough to rise,
place baking tray over a bowl of fairly
warm water, place prepared dough item
on baking tray, cover loosely with lightly
greased thicker-style plastic wrap or a tea
towel. Ensure kitchen is warm and free
of draughts. Allow the dough to rise until
doubled in size.
