My new Toy

 

 

As I said before, the old mixer which I have used for the last 6 years is making a few age related noises, probably due to the overwork it has suffered. I decided that a retirement would be the kindest thing for it and found the above as a replacement.

Of course, having had such a long relationship with my old machine, I had got to know all its little quirks, and could get the best out of it, so a new machine meant a learning curve.
I also wanted to try the Beetroot and Onion Spiral rolls again, with a reduced hydration, before the pop-up.

I made three doughs, a wholemeal, an Onion and the Beetroot, they rose beautifully after a shorter knead than I used to do in the old mixer.

I assembled the rolls and they looked pretty good before baking,

Before second rise.

After second rise.

and baked as usual.

The results are excellent, so not only have I got a new mixer, I've saved time as well.

I think I'm ready to bake in earnest.

Me and my big Mouth!

Dare I say it, but things are taking off. Although I don't know if that's a good thing.

After the 70 Roll order on Saturday, (and the feedback was very positive) I now seem to have landed the order for Brixfest 2014, 200 Rolls at the moment. http://www.brixfest.org/

Not only that, I took in my mark 5 muffin to the West Country Deli, (the Sourdough,Date Banana and Cinnamon one) and have an order for 24 on friday.

This morning, I made white loaves,

and Onion Seed Panini,

for Millie, but my mixer is starting to make a dubious noise while thrashing dough around and I'm a bit concerned that it may throw its hand in any day soon. I just hope it keeps going for Oats order in the morning. Also the oven is not working correctly, the fan does not always come on. I have to wait in on friday for that, of course they can't give a time, somewhere between 8am and 6pm, do they really think that I have nothing else to do all day?

Rolls

Early start again today, I made the rest of the dough,

As you can see, by the time I had made the fifth batch, the first was rising well.

Somehow I kept track of the timing issues involved with cutting, shaping, prooving and baking, until the finished articles started to fill the cooling racks.


Half done, half ready to bake

The finished article

They were delivered on time, and well received. Another step on the road.

Big Job

Today I started my biggest order so far, 70 White Rolls for a fundraiser tomorrow.

I'm doing the white Olive Oil bread with a 24 hour pre-ferment, similar to the panini rolls I do for Millie, so today I made 4 kg of pre-ferment and stored it to rise.

The real fun will start tomorrow, when I finish it off, that's another 6.5kg of dough to add to the pre-ferment, then it rises, then I shape it etc etc.

Its in 5 batches as that's about the most I can get in the mixer in one go, without coating the floor and everyehere else in flour as it spills over the bowl. Much more of this and I can start looking for a bigger one.

The Crumpet has Landed

And there they are, on sale in the West Country Deli.

2 Hours earlier, they were just starting,

and soon added up on the cooling rack.

Total food miles, less than1!!!

I wasn't even back home from delivering them when I had a message from Millie and Me, they had run out of Cinammon and Marmite Breads for their Trio of Toast. And we can't have that! 

3 hours later, the new stock was prooving,

and 5 hours from the order, I was able to deliver.

Service with a smile. Sophie had kindly sent a get well soon piece of Baileys Cheesecake for Yvonne, and I'm happy to say that its helping her recovery.

Well wouldn't it make you feel better?

The Brixham Crumpet?

In response to a request from Jo at the West Country Deli, I tried to make some crumpets last week, but without a lot of success. I used Wholemeal flour in an attempt to make them a bit different. They tasted OK but were a little overdone for popular taste, so I've been working to correct the problem. I think my cast iron sheet is a little bit fierce, and the heat source a bit random, but we are getting there. There's probably an issue with the batter mix as well, using Wholemeal flour instead of refined White, maybe they were too thick, the list of possible faults is quite long.

I also tried using a cast iron frying pan, but again the results were mixed.
So back to basics, and a return to white crumpets for my next attempt.

One success is the Sourdough Muffins, Yvonne is using them as part of her medication, spread with Jam.

and I'm now going to try some flavoured with chopped dates.

I also need to make a wholemeal loaf for myself.

So after the usual 5.15 start, and a lot of messing around, I had produced the following,

Brixham Crumpets!

Sourdough Date Muffins,

A Wholemeal Loaf.

Not a bad mornings work.

I've seen the new Millie and Me menu, and I'm mentioned as a supplier of panini rolls, which is wonderful.

On Sale Part 2

I know I keep on about the Savoury Morsels, but I am excited and feel a sense of pride that I've made something that people like.

I took them down to the WCD on Sunday and they sold a few at the Sunday Market, now the remainder are on display in the shop,

In addition to the usual orders, I also made some Sourdough Muffins for me,

nice with Bramble Jelly (Home made of course),

and some White Sourdough.

On Sale

Savoury Morsels are on sale at the Brixham Sunday Market.

I took the first batch down this morning and am now waiting for feedback.

 

 

 

The very impressive labelling was the product of Harry Bower Designs, and really makes them stand out. He is a local graphic artist and very knowledgable. Contact him at harryb@fclnet.com

Stay tuned.

The Start of Something?

Hot off the press, here is the first production bag of Savoury Morsels.

I took them down to show Jo and have arranged to supply West Country Deli with 15 bags on Tuesday, that's 3 of each flavour, plus a few samples. http://www.the-west-country-deli.co.uk/

Consolidation

This week has to be a bit quieter, my wife is in hospital for an operation and I cannot  (will not) give anything apart from her priority. My customers have been very understanding, and have worked around us, consequently I can give her my full attention.
But not before I made Sourdough to last us through the next week.

So my "Quiet week" will only involve 45 rolls and 6 loaves.

I've given Harry the go-ahead for the labels and tags, as soon as I have a date for delivery I can start making the Morsels.