Stretch and Fold Method

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Galley_Wench
Posts: 736
Joined: Mon Sep 12, 2011 9:55 am

Stretch and Fold Method

Post by Galley_Wench » Wed Apr 10, 2013 6:46 pm

This is day two of bread baking . . . yesterday I made the Mother Starter, today I made the bread dough which is now in the refrigerator doing a slow rise. Tomorrow will be baking day number one.

http://www.recipezazz.com/recipe/san-fr ... ough-bread

This particular recipe uses a unique folding technique to strengthen the gluten strands. Here's a couple photos, hope this helps to understand my instructions.

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This is the first fold . . . notice how wet the dough is. It's so wet that you oil your hands and the board before starting. The dough is folded from the bottom towards the center, and then from the top to the center . . . like folding a letter.

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Now you pull the dough from each side and fold it like a letter.

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Now the dough is allowed to rest for 10 minutes.

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Then repeat the folding process.

Cover the dough this time and allow to rest another 10 minutes and repeat the folding process one last time.

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Notice how smooth the dough is after the 3 fold!

Gerry
Posts: 4676
Joined: Mon Sep 12, 2011 9:57 am

Re: Stretch and Fold Method

Post by Gerry » Wed Apr 10, 2013 8:24 pm

Amazing how smooth the dough is after the third fold!
Thank you for sharing! :)

Galley_Wench
Posts: 736
Joined: Mon Sep 12, 2011 9:55 am

Re: Stretch and Fold Method

Post by Galley_Wench » Wed Apr 10, 2013 8:56 pm

Your welcome. . . it's amazing how just stretch, fold and wait works. Here's a non-sourdough recipe that's has high hydration and works well with the stretch and fold. It's one of our favorites...http://www.recipezazz.com/recipe/rustic ... ation-3737

Galley_Wench
Posts: 736
Joined: Mon Sep 12, 2011 9:55 am

Re: Stretch and Fold Method

Post by Galley_Wench » Thu Apr 11, 2013 10:16 am

Gerry, here's another dough that uses the stretch and fold method. This is DH's favorite . . . planning mix up a batch of this today, will be ready to bake on Saturday. Love that I can make dough and keep in the fridge for a few days and bake when needed. http://www.recipezazz.com/recipe/rustic ... ation-3776

Galley_Wench
Posts: 736
Joined: Mon Sep 12, 2011 9:55 am

Re: Stretch and Fold Method

Post by Galley_Wench » Thu Apr 11, 2013 10:17 am

Gerry, here's another dough that uses the stretch and fold method. This is DH's favorite . . . planning to mix up a batch today so it will be ready to bake on Saturday. Love that I can make dough and keep in the fridge for a few days and bake when needed. http://www.recipezazz.com/recipe/rustic ... ation-3776

CanuckCooker
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Joined: Fri May 11, 2012 6:57 pm

Re: Stretch and Fold Method

Post by CanuckCooker » Thu Apr 11, 2013 1:00 pm

wow this is great, THANK YOU!

Gerry
Posts: 4676
Joined: Mon Sep 12, 2011 9:57 am

Re: Stretch and Fold Method

Post by Gerry » Thu Apr 11, 2013 1:06 pm

Thank you Galley, love making rustic breads, make soup and chowder days at our house extra special! :)

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