This week’s edition of sourdough:Heritage Grains Red Fife Sourdough Bread. I’ve been playing around with not only different grains (spelt, einkorn, buckwheat, etc), but with different varieties of wheat. During their height of the pandemic, when it seemed like even flour was hard to come by, smaller mills started to become more common. This Red Fife flour (a heritage grain that used to be the most common in Canada a century ago, because the wheat itself is pretty hearty) come from Maine Grains, (https://mainegrains.com/). While the flour itself didn’t much color, when I baked it up, I did notice a more reddish tint. Or maybe I *want* to see that so I am seeing it. The flavor is a little more hearty and flavorful than a standard wheat flour. I like it!
Ingredients
2/3 cup (130 grams) active sourdough starter
1/2 cup water, between 100-110F
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 cups red fife wheat
2 tablespoons Malt Extract
1 teaspoons table salt
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
Directions
Mix the ingredients until they come together. Using the stretch and fold technique, stretch and fold the dough once every half an hour, and then let the dough rest for another half an hour. Repeat every half an hour six times for a total of 3 hours
At this point, you can put the dough in the refrigerator for a long, cold rise, or continue on below. If you choose to let the dough rise overnight, let it come to room temperature before proceeding.
Once the dough is at room temperature, place on a floured work surface. Gently stretch into a 10-inch rectangle. Fold the top of the dough to the bottom and lightly seal with the heel of the hand. Rotate the dough 90 degrees then fold the top of the dough to the bottom and lightly seal with the heel of the hand. Cup both hands around the dough and pull towards the body until the seam of the dough is on the bottom. Cover and let rest 15-20 minutes. Uncover the dough and cup with both hands. Gently push and pull the dough forwards and backwards, right and left, while applying gentle pressure to create a tight and smooth outer skin. Line a proofing basket or bowl with a clean linen, generously covered with flour. Place dough seam-side-up in the basket, cover and proof until puffy and an indentation does not spring back, 60-90 minutes.
Pre-heat your oven to 425F, with your lidded 4-5 quart oval cast iron pot inside, for at least 30 minutes. Just before you are ready to bake, invert your bread from the proofing basket onto a piece of parchment paper, score and carefully place in the Dutch Oven. Careful, it is extremely hot! Bake for 35 minutes with the lid on, and then 15 minutes with the lid off. Let cool on a wire rack before cutting. Makes a great sandwich bread!
