Tuscany

Ciao from Tuscany

It has been an amazing trip so far, its warm, green and listening to Italian is absolutely fantastic. I have been working hard in the sun and its a good way to think about everything possible. Being in the vineyard by myself weeding and trimming the vines from new shoots is absolutely healing. Working alone also gives me the chance to get away from my host who im sure is crazy. Pretty sure she has borderline personality disorder, which is not anything fun to deal with. She thinks im Russian who was born in America even after so many times that I tell her that Im Bosnian. Just Crazy!!It helps that I am here with two other helpers, Ching and Stacy.These ladies are fantastic and really enjoy working outside as well as making jokes and having a good time.
Im working in a small town called Montepulciano, known for its wine and Lemoncelo. Here are some pictures for those who are curious of my travels.

  

Enjoy and I will update soon. Ciao

Measure me not

Multiethnic Batard

A recent occurrence with me is the no measure technique. Im done!! More power to you if you are doing it. I dont have time to measure and honestly im trying to get in the flow of it so that i do everything by feel.

Here is a couple of loafs I did last night.

Flour:
Hand full of Teff, Buckwheat, Barley, whole spelt, white spelt, wheat, what husk/bran, and three hand fulls of white.

Other: approximate measure
Half cup of sesame seeds, half cup of poppy seeds, pumpkin seeds, tablespoon of salt.

Culture: approximate measure
Table spoon of raw milk, three cups mature starter at 90%-120% hydration (just guessing)

Mix for 12 minutes let rest, add salt mix for five, let rest for 45min. Fold every half hour, shape and put in fridge overnight.

Approximately a 12 hour proof at about 50F.
Oven at 520F, 10min with some steam and 15 min with no steam.

So tasty, it was perfect!!!

 

 

The Wand Chooses the Wizard.

Always experimenting with different ways to hold the lame.  Trying a new approach with more of a backwards swoop.  Here is some bread I baked today.

40% Maine Grains Whole Wheat.

Bread projects for tomorrow. 

Can't Stop Won't Stop.

Baking Boules.

Bake Storm and Ride.

Obligations?  Where can this night take me?  Rain and cold weather are coming.  My one speed, fixed gear bicycle takes me everywhere I need to go.  Fill my Bailey Works Citi Pack with a 12 case of beer and truck it home.  Build and bake. Morning is coming, only hours away.

While You Were Sleeping.

Whole Wheat version of Rye Build with an overnight retard.

Mixing+Coffee&Toast.

A glimpse of my operation at home.