Country Sourdough with Levain - Kitchen disaster
I've done this loaf before, and I'm still working on doing a better job of it but this time, I decided to double it / and adjust for my stiff starter. And then I thought I'd mix it in my mixer first to help break up the starter in the water first, and then to develop some gluten from the mixer early. (1) I turned my mixer up without a cover while trying to break up the levain. Didn't mean to, splattered all over me and the kitchen! Had to change shirts... (2) So, I did add a bit of water back in thinking I splattered a bunch out. I didn't add much though but the dough is very soupy! I dont' remember it being quite sooo soupy in the past. So maybe my math was wrong in the doubling and adjusting :( but I continued (3) Pulled out of the mixer to try a rectangular casserole dish for some slap and folds to strengthen. But, realize at this point it's just a gloppy mess. I persisted... I've seen various videos of slap and folds of sloppy doughs becoming manageable like magic so I kept going... (3) Dough splatters all over me, the counter, the sides of the casserole. (4) I persisted. Cleaned off my hands, wet them again and kept going and it eventually started to get better. Second change of shirt It's a good thing no one else is home to see this utter mess!! and I didn't take pics of the mess, it was a sight! I transferred to another dish, cleaned the original and back to the original dish to rest. It still looks pretty wet and soupy but it's sooo much better than when it started. It's not sticking to the dish. It's got some defined shape! I will keep you posted how this progresses. Dough is resting now before some coil folds next? or stretch and folds?. I'm hoping this second change of shirts is the last for today! 🤣