If you have been following my blog you will know that I have been making a range of homemade cheeses, ales and ciders using kits from Mad Millie. They have just started to stock a Sourdough Kit so I had to give it a go. First thing to note is that '15 minutes' isn't a good representation and the process takes a lot longer than that. I liked the idea of the kit because you could just use the instant sourdough starter culture when you wanted rather than having to keep a sourdough starter … [Read more...]
Homemade ‘Vogels’ Bread Recipe
This recipe is kindly shared by Simon and Kathryn Deroles who developed it over several years and report that it even passed the 'fussy children' test. I also have to thank them for sending some kibbled grain up to me from Palmerston North as I have been struggling to locate kibbled wheat or kibbled grain in Auckland. Ceres Organics have it as a product and list several different stores as stockists but they (so far in my searches) seem to have other Ceres products but not kibbled wheat. Simon … [Read more...]
Spicy Fruit Buns (aka Hot Cross Buns)
My friends Michele and Claire have a tradition of making hot cross buns on Good Friday and inviting friends around to enjoy them. I have often been the grateful recipient of the "buns are ready" txt and raced around to enjoy them with a cup of coffee, sitting in the sunshine on their patio. I was inspired this time to go home and make some myself: my first try was almost a total failure despite using a bread mix and doing the first part in the bread machine. I have been determinedly trying … [Read more...]
Focaccia Bread
Most of the time I use my bread-maker for a quick and easy loaf of bread but there is something special about getting more hands-on with bread making. I particularly love focaccia bread because you brush it with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt and fresh herbs (or add olives and other goodies if you prefer). 500g plain flour 1 tsp salt 4g yeast sachet 330ml lukewarm water Sea salt and fresh herbs (e.g. rosemary, oregano, thyme) Combine all the ingredients into a bowl and … [Read more...]