Starting a Sourdough Starter Talk at Artisinal LA

October 11, 2013

...I’ll be doing a short talk at Artisinal LA this Sunday October 13th at 4pm on how to start a sourdough starter. Artisinal LA (yep, the “A” word) is a showcase of local small food vendors. In case you’re not in LA this is what I’ll be demonstrating: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bGLF8B_pZ0 Mark Stambler, who co-founded the LA Bread Bakers with me and Teresa Sitz, will also be doing a talk on baking bread at 4pm on Saturday....

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Keep a Rye Starter!

Mr. Homegrown

September 29, 2023

Bread, Fermentation, Food

1 Comment

I took a pizza class at Josey Baker Bread in San Francisco this month and picked up a great tip from the instructor, JB pizza baker Caitlin (sorry did not get a last name!). She told us the bakery keeps a rye starter. This has two advantages: rye is more active so your starter will have a higher likelihood of success and you’ll always be ready to make a rye loaf. If you want a white or whole wheat dough all you have to do is add white or whole wh...

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In Memory of the Rev. Peter Rood

Mr. Homegrown

April 23, 2023

Miscellaneous

10 Comments

...emakers he hosted book events for us. He collaborated with the Los Angeles Bread Bakers in building a community oven which became a place to gather for monthly bread and pizza parties. Peter had the same condition as Kelly and was very supportive during Kelly’s two open heart surgeries. He was a kind, creative and loving soul who will be greatly missed by so many people. I went though my photos to find pictures of Peter at work but he was always m...

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A Simple and Life Changing Bagel Recipe

Mr. Homegrown

January 27, 2021

Fermentation, Food

14 Comments

Based on Jeffrey Hamelman’s recipe in Bread: A Baker’s Book of Techniques and Recipes 453 grams (16 ounces) bread flour 263 grams (9 ounces) water 9 grams (.3 ounces) salt 2 grams (.07 ounces or approximately 3/4 teaspoon) active dry yeast Malt syrup or molasses for boiling Optional: sesame, poppy, flake salt or other seeds for topping. Yield: 6 bagels 1. Throw all the ingredients except the malt syrup or molasses into a stand mixer and mix on th...

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The New Homemade Kitchen

Mr. Homegrown

June 26, 2020

Fermentation, Food, Food Preservation, Recipes, Reviews

3 Comments

I have many fond memories of teaching bread baking classes for the late Joseph Shuldiner’s cheekily named Institute of Domestic Technology. Joseph had a unique formula for the curriculum of the IDT. I’d summarize as “stuff that you’d never think of doing from scratch but once you find out how easy it is your life will be transformed.” In addition to the aforementioned bread baking, the IDT offered classes in mustard, cheese making, jam making, co...

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