Baker’s Bench

Introduction to Cake Decorating

Andrew posted this article on May 22nd, 2013

The second class in our pastry series is now ready for sign up at Brown Paper Tickets. Introduction to cake decorating will be held on Saturday June 1st, at 4:00pm.  The class will teach the basics of cake decorating, most importantly the use of a piping bag to create borders, rosettes and other cake embellishments.  Equipment, ingredients and a cake to decorate and take home are included.  To insure the best learning environment for our students, class size is quite limited.  Tickets are available for purchase through Brown Paper Tickets.  Check our website for a link and for information on additional upcoming classes.

Breads for Farm CSA’s

Andrew posted this article on April 17th, 2013

Madison Sourdough will be offering a rotating selection of specialty breads previously only available at our bakery.  Some of the breads listed we are currently baking, some are from the past, others have yet to be made.  Each week you and your family will receive a loaf of bread, available in a small or large portion along with your weekly selection of fruits and veggies.  This “bread box” is available for purchase at King’s Hill Farm and Equinox Community Farm.  For more information on the pricing, pick up days and times, and availability, please contact the farm you wish to order from.  Below is a list of the different breads on offer and a brief description.

*All breads are naturally leavened with sourdough starters made from organic wheat or rye depending on the bread.

**All breads unless noted are available in 2lb or 1lb options.

1) Sprouted Rye:  A high percentage whole grain rye bread packed with sprouted rye berries.  This bread develops a natural malt sweetness from the sprouted grains and freshly milled flour from Lonesome Stone Milling.  Expect a deeply caramelized crust balanced by a dense moist crumb.  This bread is highly nutritious and should be eaten in thin slices and paired with other robust flavors.

 Ingredients:  Organic stone ground rye, water, wheat flour, organic sprouted rye berries, salt.

    2.5 lbs or 1.25 lbs options

2) Miche:  An uncompromising loaf; it comes large, it is baked dark, and its flavor is bold.  Our Miche is a Wisconsin interpretation of a classic French country bread highlighting Lonesome Stone Mill and Wisconsin grown hard red spring wheat.  The bread is designed for keeping quality, with increased acidity, high hydration, and long bake times for a thick crust or “rind.”  Ingredients:  Unbleached wheat flour, organic stone ground wheat, organic stone ground rye, water, salt

3) Sesame Fennel:  Toasted Sesame and Fennel add a nice savory dimension to this moist, open, classic sourdough.  Fantastic for sandwiches and salads and makes great croutons with the bits and pieces.

 Ingredients: Unbleached wheat flour, water, organic stone ground whole wheat, sesame seed, salt, fennel seed.

4) Raisin Coriander:  A rich whole wheat sourdough base with plumped raisins, toasted and cracked coriander, and a pinch of orange zest.  Hearty, sweet and savory, healthful.

Ingredients:  Unbleached wheat flour, organic stone ground wheat, organic stone ground rye, water, raisins, salt, coriander, orange zest.

5) Hops and Malt “Beer Bread”:  There is no beer added to this bread.  Rather, it is a bread whose flavors are inspired by those of brewing, namely the two main ingredients, malt and hops.  Expect a light, open, moist crumb flecked with sweet rye sprouts and a crisp crust all backed up by a distinct citrus hop aroma.

Ingredients:  Unbleached wheat flour, organic stone ground wheat, water, sprouted rye berries, salt, Centennial and Willamette whole leaf hops.

6) Pain aux Cereales:  Pain aux Cereales is a naturally leavened grain bread.  Ours includes organic rye, millet, poppy seed, and cornmeal.  The wheat, corn, and rye are all grown and milled in Wisconsin.  The crumb is incredibly moist and tender and studded with grains and seed.  My suggestion, butter!

Ingredients: Unbleached wheat flour, water, organic stone ground wheat, organic stone ground rye, organic stone ground cornmeal, millet, poppy seed, salt.

7) Durum Pavé:  Durum is an old variety of hard wheat, typically used to make pasta.  It has a soft, creamy texture and vibrant yellow crumb color.  This is a rustic shape, the word “pavé” meaning cobblestone in French.

Ingredients:  Durum, water, organic stone ground wheat, salt

Introduction to French Pastry: Apple Tarts

Andrew posted this article on April 8th, 2013

Sign up for our hands-on pastry class being held Saturday, May 4, from 4-7pm.  French pastry enjoys an international reputation and invokes images of refinement and sophistication.  Pastry chef Pierre Ferland will explore and showcase the various elements that make up this world of exclusive sweets.  From the rustic to the sophisticated, Apple Tarts account for a large number of regional specialties in France.  Learn how to make these specialty apple tarts in three different styles.

The class costs $45/person and includes all materials and 1 tart to take home.

To sign up, call the bakery at 608-442-8009, stop in, or send an email to andrew@madisonsourdough.com

 

 

Cranberry Sprouted Rye

Andrew posted this article on December 18th, 2012

We have been experimenting quite a bit with sprouting rye berries.  Sprouting grains unlocks nutrients and vitamins otherwise not digestible.  They make for a tremendous addition to whole grain breads, adding another dimension of nutrition as well as flavor. We were pleasantly surprised in our test batches of Sprouted Rye by the amount of sweetness coming from the sprouts.  Essentially what happens is the starches in the sprouts “malt” or convert to sugar as the bread gets a long slow bake in the oven, thus yielding little morsels of malt sweetness dispersed throughout the dough.  This sweetness makes a great match to the earthy richness of a whole grain rye bread dough.  We have taken it a step further, just for fun, and added an addition of fresh Wisconsin cranberries for a sweet/tart bread that calls for nothing but itself to be eaten.

In the photos you are seeing the sprouts with cranberries (that recall the fields they were grown in), the dough, and the finished loaves.  We are baking the Sprouted Rye regularly on Fridays and Saturdays.  Come check it out.

Andrew

Holiday Specialties!

Andrew posted this article on December 18th, 2012

Make your holiday extra special with Madison Sourdough!
Pre-order any of our delicious treats to add local goodness to your holiday traditions. Call or stop in to reserve your order.

Desserts:
Buche Opera $24.00 (Serves 8-10)  This is a “Yule Log” with espresso soaked almond cake, ganache, cocoa macarons, all encased in a coffee mousse.
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Bourbon Pecan Pie $24.00 (Serves 8-10)
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Chocolate and Salted Caramel Gateau Basque $24.00 (Serves 8-12)
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Apple Cranberry Pie $22.00 (Serves 8-12)
Breads:
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Celebration Braided Cranberry Bread $8.00
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Currant Cardamom $8.75 (2 pound loaf)
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Parker House Rolls $6.00 (6 pack)
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Rye-batta Rolls $6.00 (6 pack)
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Miche $15.00 whole, $8.00 half, $4.00 quarter
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Take and Bake Cinnamon Rolls (5 pack) $12.50
Kitchen:
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Peach Jam $7.00 (8oz, fresh refrigerator jam)
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Apple Spice Compote $7.00 (8oz, fresh refrigerator jam)
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Cranberry Sauce $11.00 (16oz)
Other Items that we normally make daily:_________________________________________________________

Orders need to be placed no later than 5:00pm, Thursday December 20. All items will be made to order on Sunday Dec 23,
and will be available for pick-up between 10:00am-5:30pm on Sun, Dec 23. No pickup before 10:00AM.