Lol Netix, mine was like that! The heater had been left on (he's sitting on a tall speaker right where the heater blows) and I couldn't believe it when I got home and it had grown so much. I've now dropped back to feeding once a day and it's still really good and fluffy.
With my 3 loaves, they rose wonderfully overnight! I had all three next to each other in a roasting dish, with baking paper underneath them and pulled up in between so they don't stick. Baked them at lunch and tried one when we got home from work - it worked!! I was so proud of myself lol. Can't wait to take it to Mum & Dad's for the weekend. I do think though that the longer kneading must work - one of mine is noticeably 'better' than the others, and I think I kneaded that one longer.
Thanks again for starting this, I'm so happy with it!
I actually ended up making two loaves on Friday, that's how active George was. After that, I left him in the kitchen away from the still warm stereo! He had bubbled up so much that he was touching the lid of the jar. That could have got messy down the back of the stereo and tv cabinet! I nearly went out after I put him there, so I'm glad that I didn't, it would have been an awful mess waiting for me.
I think once a day feeding will be fine. I was talking to my Mum about kneading, and she said that plain flour doughs must be kneaded for at least ten minutes, but self raising flour need only be kneaded until the dough is smooth/ingredients combined. I think it is actually noticable when the dough changes, it just seems to become so smooth. They will rise better with the longer kneading.
How long do you bake your bread for and at what temperature?
What did your Mum and Dad think? I'm glad someone else is getting something out of this, not just me.
George is one month old (and a couple of days, but who's counting?!? lol), and I'm just wondering how everyone else's starters are going? I left George alone (no feeding) for a bit over a week, just resting behind the tv (stereo off), and a crust formed on the top (just a dry layer), which I peeled off with a spatula (and threw out), then I fed him last night. He spent the night in an ice cream dish since his jar is soaking (), and he has actually bubbled up on the kitchen bench which I was not expecting.
What breads have you made? (Or just tried to make?) I've made square loaves and plait loaves (both large and small, the small ones look like they might be good with some herbs, and you pull them apart for dipping (like in a nice oil, if you're into that)).
I think this bread is so delicious toasted. nom nom
Hey Netix, your George is going amazingly! I've stopped mine unfortunately DH didn't like it for his sandwiches at work, he prefers 'normal' bread. And I just don't eat enough bread to use it. So I made a few more loaves but they never got completely eaten, and I had a whole pile of George that was being used. I think I might start one up again to make some bread for Christmas, and other occassions when I know I might want some. Should only need a week or so I figure so I'll do that!
I so agree with you on toasting the bread though. I took some to Mum & Dad's and we used it for bruscetta (sp?) with bacon and tomato and stuff on top - ohhh yummmm!
Thanks, he is much lower maintenance than I expected. Yeah, I'm not sure that I would have it for sandwiches either, mainly because I haven't managed to make a loaf that was really soft on the inside yet.
I saw something on the Martha Stewart show the other day (I don't normally watch it), and there was a Patisserie who had a George that was 42 years old apparently. Not a bad effort! It was older than he was! I think his kitchen staff maintain it for him though, and talks about having to feed it every four hours! He gave a recipe for traditional Panettone, and made the starter with pureed apple and sparking mineral water, then added flour later. (Every four hours forever!)
I'm guessing they feed it more cos they'd make a lot more bread in a Patisserie. And that Panettone sound sooo yum! Might have to look that up when it gets closer to Christmas I reckon!
Oh, it does, but its SO involved! I don't know if its on her website, I'll have a look, but if its not, I still have the show recorded to write down the recipe, lol.
Reply With Quote
I nearly went out after I put him there, so I'm glad that I didn't, it would have been an awful mess waiting for me.
George is one month old (and a couple of days, but who's counting?!? lol), and I'm just wondering how everyone else's starters are going? I left George alone (no feeding) for a bit over a week, just resting behind the tv (stereo off), and a crust formed on the top (just a dry layer), which I peeled off with a spatula (and threw out), then I fed him last night. He spent the night in an ice cream dish since his jar is soaking (
), and he has actually bubbled up on the kitchen bench which I was not expecting.
DH didn't like it for his sandwiches at work, he prefers 'normal' bread. And I just don't eat enough bread to use it. So I made a few more loaves but they never got completely eaten, and I had a whole pile of George that was being used. I think I might start one up again to make some bread for Christmas, and other occassions when I know I might want some. Should only need a week or so I figure so I'll do that!
Bookmarks