In amongst recent creations in my kitchen this week, and in between lots more semolina sourdough, I have made my first (and second) ciabatta loaves, my first (and second!) pretzel rolls, and lots of confit garlic.
The second batches of ciabatta and pretzels were better than the firsts, but then the firsts were pretty good too, so I was happy. And the chief taster and bread eater in the house loved and at them all, so I must have got something right”
For the ciabatta, I followed this recipe and took very useful notes from Sally’s post.
I possibly rushed the first batch, because for the second batch I gave the biga more time to come up to room temperature (from the fridge), plus I made it all by hand.
I followed Gingers recipe for the pretzel rolls. It includes dunking the uncooked dough into a bath of bicarbonate of soda, which was a first for me! That’s what creates the darker coloured chewy exterior.
The first time I made the buns (above), I placed the portioned and cut dough onto baking paper on a tray to refrigerate overnight (as per the recipe) but the buns stuck to the paper and remained very soft so I had to pull off what I could which meant that they lost their shape. The second time (below), I floured the dough well and floured the tray well and it worked perfectly.
I think this is the perfect time to note, that flours behave differently around the world and country, some require more water than others. It’s something we have to feel our way with..
I’ve heard the term confit on so many cookery shows but never know what it means. Having seen confit garlic coming up recently, I decided to look it up. To confit historically was to preserve an ingredient by cooking it for a long period over/in a low heat in oil, grease of sugar water. This way food stuffs could be preserved for long periods.
Wikipedia says: “The term is usually used in modern cuisine to mean long slow cooking in oil or fat at low temperatures, many having no element of preservation, such as dishes like confit potatoes.” It’s typically a method used to cook meat, but can be used for vegetables too. Therefore when I saw Sally produce confit garlic and chilli, I decided to give it a go.
I do love my garlic peeler, the roll of rubber in the photo; a close friend bought it for me a few years ago and it was the perfect gift!
I made my confit in the oven (the photo above shows the oil still bubbling – warning: it’s VERY HOT) .
I submerged lots of peeled garlic cloves in enough olive oil to cover them and cooked at 140C for 45-60 minutes until they became soft and sticky, but not completely broken down. I then drained them immediately (if you leave them to cool in the oil, they sink into the oil and become completely sodden, which I didn’t like so much), let them cool then stored them in a jar, well the ones that I didn’t eat there and then…!
Once cooled I also stored the oil and used it on everything!
The garlic is soft and tasty and can be used in dishes, or merely spread on a piece of toast, as I did here…
These were all fun to make and learn new processes, and I’ll make them all again!
So, now it’s time for this week’s Fiesta Friday, and Angie very kindly featured my semolina sourdough in last week’s picks 😊
Wow what a busy time in the kitchen! Your homemade bread looks absolutely amazing!
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Thank you 😊😊😊😊
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Both batches look fantastic Elaine! Moroccans love their bread. You would love that cuisine: lots of salads similar to yours. Aubergines galore for breakfast lunch and dinner!
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OMG!!!! Heaven!!!! Did you have lots of amazing food??
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Everything here looks just wonderful Elaine. The last time I tried to make pretzels it didn’t turn out so well and I know I need to try again. Thanks for sharing 🙂
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Thank you so much x I’ve steered away from making pretzels before but Gingers recipe looked so clear, I decided to give it a go x
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Doing the extended version of a happy dance! thank you so much for the link love!
I am really tempted to try the pretzel rolls – yours look perfect as usual… glad you enjoyed the ciabatta – such a nice bread to enjoy with pretty much anything, even with just a touch of good olive oil.
you ARE the Baking Queen!
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Ha ha! We are all Queens of something!! 😄😄😄
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The confit garlic sounds wonderful!
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It is!
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Gorgeous love making bread. These look 👌🏼😘
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Thank you 😀😘
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I have been baking a lot of bread in my kitchen too and it is so therapeutic right? 😀 You have now inspired me to try out ciabatta! And confit garlic sounds so so so yummm. I should probably give that a try too 🙂 btw, I am also going to get that garlic peeler – thanks for sharing that it works!
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It really does, it’s so simple, but it does work 😀
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Your bread always looks so amazing, Elaine. You have the magic touch. I do like the look of those pretzel rolls!
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Thank you 😊😊😊
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I just love the name of this post!!! But those pretzel rolls… oh my!!
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😁😁😁😁
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This all looks so delicious Elaine, BUT I WANT ONE OF THOSE GARLIC PEELERS! lol. 😀
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Thank you 😀😀😀
And you need one!!!!
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Love homemade bread, and love the photos you took for this post 🙂
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Thank you 😊😊😊
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Everything looks good, especially the ciabatta. I took a class from a local deli a few years ago (along with focaccia) and have yet to make it at home. Maybe this will give me some incentive…
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Thank you x let me know if you try it!
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It’s been hectic here with the folks, and I’ve been posting but have really missed having the time to visit – and I’m so glad I did!! That confit of garlic. I am going to have to do that. It’s looks amazing and as you mentioned, that oil. That piece of bread looks crazy good.
I do a pretzel roll, too, but for some reason have never made ciabatta. You loaves are gorgeous.
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Thank you so much 😊 I hope you enjoy the confit garlic, I’m not sure what’s best actually, the actual garlic or the oil! Either way it’s a win:win 😁
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🙂
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Ciabatta is on my list to try out. Hubby makes our Bavarian pretzels so I’ll put him in charge of pretzel rolls too! Yours all look so delicious.
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Thank you xx I’m sure they’d all disappear in no time in your house!
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love this garlic confit , never heard of it actually! I love your work , especially breads
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Thank you 😊😊😊
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