Daily Batard

Here are a couple of loaves that just came from the oven this morning. I used 75% hydration and started with a poolish with 100% hydration, just flour and water of equal weights.

I used the Eagle Mills All Natural All-Purpose Unbleached Flour from Costco. Having recently baked with King Arthur Unbleached White, I had forgotten how much heavier this flour is. However, it delivers a wonderful (and healthy) loaf.

Good stuff!

The Boule

This evening I baked a boule with dough refrigerated overnight. The flour mix was 57% Hodgson Mills Whole Wheat, and a 1/4 cup (3.8%) of Bob's Red Mill Vital Wheat Gluten, with the balance made of my standard Eagle Mills flour from Costco, with a 70% hydration. The final proof was done in a banneton.

I am reasonably pleased with the result, however, some larger holes were anticipated. We'll be having this bread with soup this evening with some left over for sandwiches or toast in the morning.

Notes On Flour

As I have stated in previous posts, the flour I've been using is from Costco. It is:

1. Unbleached
2. High in fiber (a large percentage of whole wheat)
3. Inexpensive
4. Bakes into a nice loaf
5. Tastes good

So, what is this mysterious flour? It is called "Eagle Mills" which is manufactured with a specially ground flour (extra fine whole wheat) called Ultragrain®. You can learn more about it at this website, including where to buy it. Costco has it packaged in two 10 lb bags.