Hi all, I have booked a venue for a private class on Baguettes. This was originally planned as a private event but has expanded to now be open for My Lovely Loaves members. Numbers are limited as I was not able to get my normal venue for suitable times. Details: Date: Saturday 15th August. 10:30am to 2:00pm. Venue: Ngutungka Community Centre and Library, Henley Beach. Cost: $70. including a light lunch. Details: This class will be primarily a demonstration class with some hands on mixing of dough to be taken home to be shaped and baked. (Unfortunately oven space does not permit everyone baking their baguettes on the day.) Plenty of samples will be provided for a light lunch during the event. Bookings will be strictly on a first-come-first-served basis, and there may only be 4 or 5 spaces available as numbers are limited. If this one goes well, I will plan another one at a later date. Payment arrangements to be advised soon. Steve.

Hi Everyone, After the crumpet class that I encouraged to happen, I have been cooking crumpets every time I run out. After a couple of times where they didn't turn out very well, I have discovered the following. 1.The starter does not have to be active at the time - unless you want to cook them sooner. I have found just doing the first step with starter that is even a number of days from being created is absolutely fine - but what you need to do is to forget it for a day or two and putting it in the fridge overnight however long it is. It still gets bubbly. So even 2 days and 1 night seems to be ok. 1. 2. I found some very good crumpet rings at Spotlight. Good to oil these the first time round. 2. 3. I'm also finding that the amount of water to add that makes the right consistency is around 110mls. I seem to get 8 crumpets fairly regularly now. 3. Thank you Steve!

Hi Steve, I recently followed a post where the lady recommended using bees waxed wraps to keep sour dough fresh. I bought the largest one I could get and it actually works! Ian and I rarely finish a loaf before I need to cut and freeze it or it gets so hard it hits the compost. I was using a calico bag but the bees wax wrap actually works. It stayed fresh like new for about 3 days but was soft and easy to cut for over a week. For the first time we used every bit without needing to freeze it. Definitely worth a try. I’m planning on getting a second one. 😁

Over the time that I have been baking sourdough bread I must have made over 20 types of bread. Mostly sourdough, but also yeasted breads. Over the coming weeks I will be posting recipes for all members to view and download for free. And as I develop new classes, these will be added to the list. Some of these I will still offer classes for to help you see and learn the techniques and finer points of how to get the best results, but as a member here you will have complete access to the full library! Just visit the Classroom and you will see the Recipes "course". Like everything here, it is new and in the early stages of development, so be patient and visit often!

I went to Steve's bagel class on Sunday and really enjoyed the process (it's easy) ! So, last night I thought I'd give it a go on my own. I used the half yeast/half sourdough recipe. I left my dough overnight to rise and rolled out the individual balls this morning before boiling and baking. They don't look perfect by any means, I should have squashed them down more and creating the hole needs much more refinement. But the flavour and texture was lovely. I attached a photo but not sure if it's going to show here.