Grace (![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} celestialblendr) wrote,@ 2009-05-05 23:57:00 |
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bunnies, bread and compost
I'm currently attempting a sourdough, multigrain version of the No-Knead Bread presented in a New York Times Article (11/8/2006). It's an interesting approach. It takes advantage of the fact that, when left to sit, flour and water will create their own gluten strands without a whole lot of prodding and stretching, and also that a longer rise with less yeast makes for a nicer texture and flavor. It also capitalizes on the beautiful crust a wetter dough will provide, and makes the most of it by baking the whole thing in a dutch oven, covered most of the time to maximize the crust-enhancing steaminess. Maria turned out a loaf of this about a week ago and we were both pleased with the results, except that it wasn't big enough. Additionally, one thing I did over vacation was to cozy up with one of Maria's holy books, The Village Baker over the vacation and got a starter going. As yet, I've only made one batch of sourdough, which ended up with the taste I wanted, but a little, well, flat. We'll see how it turns out here. I also added some rye and whole-wheat flour and some cracked wheat berries.
On other foodie notes, the garbage disposal bit it over the weekend. Our fabulous landlady has already replaced it, but it also seemed like an opportune moment to bring up composting again, as it would greatly reduce the amount of stress on the poor disposal, which had been chawing virtually all our food waste (or, at least, that which the dog didn't take care of) in lieu of compost.
Anyone know where I can get hold of a used plastic 55-gal drum? For cheap if not free? It shall make a composter par excellence. It may even roll around for proper mixing an aeration.
RPM Fiberworks is still slow getting off the ground, though I have made some sales. Right now I'm trying selling some yarns in smaller hanks, at 50g for $3.50. I had them listed at 100g for $6.50, but I'm seeing how folks will respond to the under-$5 price tag. I also want to redo the pictures. Originally, I was thinking the more natural looking pictures would be fun, but I'm going to snitch some white oaktag from work for a background. I also suspect that things may take off when I get some other kinds of products up - the bags, some prefab stuff (mmm...recycled dish towels), and especially the kits of which I dream.
I'm also still spinning fresh fiber. One of the women from the monthly spinning group at Webs who raises Angora rabbits brought two of her 6-week-old bunnies to the group tonight. We were taking turns holding the bunnies and letting them sleep on our laps while we spun. I love that my phone has a camera.
I'm currently attempting a sourdough, multigrain version of the No-Knead Bread presented in a New York Times Article (11/8/2006). It's an interesting approach. It takes advantage of the fact that, when left to sit, flour and water will create their own gluten strands without a whole lot of prodding and stretching, and also that a longer rise with less yeast makes for a nicer texture and flavor. It also capitalizes on the beautiful crust a wetter dough will provide, and makes the most of it by baking the whole thing in a dutch oven, covered most of the time to maximize the crust-enhancing steaminess. Maria turned out a loaf of this about a week ago and we were both pleased with the results, except that it wasn't big enough. Additionally, one thing I did over vacation was to cozy up with one of Maria's holy books, The Village Baker over the vacation and got a starter going. As yet, I've only made one batch of sourdough, which ended up with the taste I wanted, but a little, well, flat. We'll see how it turns out here. I also added some rye and whole-wheat flour and some cracked wheat berries.
On other foodie notes, the garbage disposal bit it over the weekend. Our fabulous landlady has already replaced it, but it also seemed like an opportune moment to bring up composting again, as it would greatly reduce the amount of stress on the poor disposal, which had been chawing virtually all our food waste (or, at least, that which the dog didn't take care of) in lieu of compost.
Anyone know where I can get hold of a used plastic 55-gal drum? For cheap if not free? It shall make a composter par excellence. It may even roll around for proper mixing an aeration.
RPM Fiberworks is still slow getting off the ground, though I have made some sales. Right now I'm trying selling some yarns in smaller hanks, at 50g for $3.50. I had them listed at 100g for $6.50, but I'm seeing how folks will respond to the under-$5 price tag. I also want to redo the pictures. Originally, I was thinking the more natural looking pictures would be fun, but I'm going to snitch some white oaktag from work for a background. I also suspect that things may take off when I get some other kinds of products up - the bags, some prefab stuff (mmm...recycled dish towels), and especially the kits of which I dream.
I'm also still spinning fresh fiber. One of the women from the monthly spinning group at Webs who raises Angora rabbits brought two of her 6-week-old bunnies to the group tonight. We were taking turns holding the bunnies and letting them sleep on our laps while we spun. I love that my phone has a camera.
