A couple of nights ago, Big Boy cooked dinner.
It’s not something he does very often, but under the watchful eye of his father, he produced an amazing Mexican-inspired dish of mince and beans, flavoured with smokey paprika, Italian tomatoes and (unbeknownst to me) a decent splash of my vintage port (sigh).
Anyway, I digress. Dinner was so good that we all ate until we couldn’t move. And as a result, I didn’t finish drinking my bottle of Dirty Granny apple cider.
Later that night, I was looking at the remnants of a bowl of sourdough starter (there always seems to be a bit of starter leftover after baking), trying to decide if it was worth keeping. On a whim, I emptied my half bottle of cider into the bowl, and stirred in a roughly equal quantity of bakers flour. The bowl fizzed up, then settled into a thick, creamy coloured soup.
The next morning, I awoke to find a very bubbly, sweet smelling bowl of starter. I knocked together a dough comprising just four ingredients:
- 300g Dirty Granny sourdough starter
- 550g water
- 1kg bakers flour
- 18 fine sea salt
For instructions on how to make the bread, please refer to our Bread #101: Basic Sourdough Tutorial.
The three loaves released an amazing aroma after just five minutes in the oven, and the finished bread was redolent of cider and apples. I’m quite amused that my Dirty Granny sourdough loaf looks like a breast, complete with nipple…
The crumb was tender and quite closed (which is not surprising, as the dough was reasonably stiff), with a delicious, subtly sweet flavour…
Inspired by a conversation I’d had recently with Lorraine, I used the loaf for chicken sandwiches, made with leftover poached meat from our simple soup recipe, a half batch of our speedy mayonnaise, a few leaves of homegrown cos lettuce and cracked black pepper…
It was the perfect mid-week lunch to eat sitting outside on the deck…
One of the things I love most about breadmaking is that I’m often able to incorporate leftover bits and pieces into a loaf. I might never throw a half bottle of cider away again!
Fig Jam and Lime Cordial 
I think you will simply have to buy more cider. Lots more!
Maeve, we’ll definitely be buying more Dirty Granny – it’s a lovely drink! :)
I am always so impressed with your breads and how about sharing that sarmie! :)
Sue, just tell me when and I’ll get a chicken on to poach.. :)
Awesome baking, Celia! You know, we have cider here the whole year, I think. Not sure how is it possible but it really seems like the cider capital of the US this place :-)
well, too bad about the Port wine. I see you need to be as careful with it as you are with the Amedei Chuao chocolate… :-)
Hope your finger is healing nicely…
Sally, I need to hide everything from those boys, I think! It was worth it though – the meal was amazing! Finger is much better, thank you! :)
Can I share one of your midweek lunches please? Looks delicious.
I frequently stir in left over cider or rinse out the remains of the yoghurt pot and tip into my sourdough starter. I’m not sure if it’s good practice, but it doesn’t seem to do any harm.
Anne, I’ve made barm bread before, but never tried with cider! I’m still surprised how well it worked! :)
Celia that oven spring looks amazing.
Looks like a breast with a nipple, eh? :) I’m going to amend my post to add that in.. :D
Nothing Better than Baking with Dirty Granny (cider that is) – ha! Happy Thursday:)
It’s quite a name, eh Renee? :)
I would never dare to throw away 1/2 a bottle of cider! But what agreat use if you did have some left over! The bread looks wonderful.
Clare, it was truly fabulous, and just ever so slightly sweet. Delicious! :)
Ha, Peter enjoys the occasional cider, but I’m not sure he has heard of this one. Love the name! Great post, as always, Celia.
Lizzy, it’s made by Matilda Bay in Vic, and it’s a nice drop! Your Peter might enjoy it! :)
Your lovely bread sounds perfect for your chicken sandwich.
Karen, thank you! Sometimes there’s a tried and tested combination of flavours (like chicken, mayo and lettuce) that just shouldn’t be messed with, although pairing it with a Dirty Granny loaf didn’t seem to do it any harm! :)
I love experiments like that, though i have to say most of my experiments are eaten by the pigs.. in fact they are eating an aubergine and pomegranate molasses mash as we speak, i am desperately trying to remake one I ate years ago.. too much tahine is a bad thing! but your bread is fabulous.. c
So sorry to barge in and did not think Charlotte and Sheila and I could be best buddies, but I would have loved to try your eggplant and molasses ‘failure’ being somewhat an aubergine addict myself :) ! Use heaps of tahini too!!
Celi, when you said that, I knew exactly the dish you’re speaking of – a bit like a sweetened baba ganoush! If I ever find a recipe for something like that, I’ll pass it on!
Thank you so much..I am working on tracking down a recipe! c
Celi, I found it!! It’s in the Ottolenghi cookbook Plenty.
http://www.thescreamingartichoke.com/ottolenghis-burnt-eggplant-with-tahini-pomegranate-molasses/
Oh well done, thank you, i shall pop over and have a look, and try that one next.. don”t you hate it when you are trying to track down a taste! thank you celia.. c
Dirty Granny bread breasts? Trust you Celia! :) xox
You know I’m nothing if not consistent, darling. :)
that meal, having been cooked by your son, would have been extra special..and love the idea of using up the cider in bread..
Jane, it was special and really truly delicious, not just because I’m his mother. It was surprisingly sophisticated (which I suspect is Pete’s influence!). :)
Lovely looking loaf and nice recipe, but I’m still a little confused about how any alcohol was “left over”! ;-)
Yes, yes, I know.. ;-)
Interesting how your post about using cider led me via the mayonnaise link to useful information about using and keeping raw eggs. Wonderful. Joy
Thanks for following the linkys, Joy! :)
That chicken sandwich looks divine, and has taken over my thoughts. I know what I’ll be eating for lunch today but it will be a poor imitation.
Good on Big Boy for cooking a delicious dinner even if he did use your port. It’s a gift to be able to cook, and a gift to be able to wing it with only old thing you have on hand… even a Dirty Granny ;)
ED, it’s a brain worm. Blame Lorraine, she started it! I wouldn’t mine another chicken and mayo sandwich today, but I’d have to start from scratch! :)
How nice that big boy cooked dinner! I love the look of your sandwich – very yummy indeed. I don’t think there’s a better sandwich than a chicken and mayo with lettuce – it gets even better with homemade bread xx
Charlie, he doesn’t do it very often, but it was so good that I think I’m going to nag him to do it regularly from now on! :)
Another beauty for the files! Well, would have to buy the cider, but that bread looks delicious and [don’t ask!!!!!!]. And I would very much forgive Big Boy his cooking venture using your port: small price to pay methinks . . .
Eha, you’re right of course. It’s not like I didn’t get to consume the port in the end anyway!
Hehe love that it looks like a boobie. So clever Celia! x
Someone commented that it looked far too pert for a Dirty Granny! :D
Of course you made a gorgeous loaf of bread with apple cider remnants. You are Celia, Master Bread Baker! I think the surprise would have been if you hadn’t created a magnificent loaf of bread. :)
John, you’re very kind, thank you – but they don’t always turn out this well when I “wing” it, so I was very chuffed that this one did! :)
Yum! Do you think it would have been nice to add some grated or finely diced apple? Never seem to have leftover booze in our house but I did manage to score some spent malted grain from the brewing of Wicked Elf beer. That made a very nice, chewy loaf.
Liz, I think the fresh apple would be nice, but it wouldn’t be quite as versatile then. And malted grain sounds like an intriguing addition! :)
Im with Amanda, poor show Celia on the Dirty Granny drinking. A fabulous idea none the less. How wonderful that big boy cooked
I could count the number of times he’s done it on two hands Tania, but every time is grand! :)
First your chocolate, now your port! You’re going to have to start installing locks on the cupboards! Although I suppose it’s your own fault for teaching them about the joys of fine foods and quality ingredients…
Kate, at least they don’t eat the fast food which is available within walking distance from our house! It’s a small price to pay, really.. :)
Oooo a nice big fluffy tangy loaf for sandwiches. Zing! Perfect food as far as I’m concerned, Celia. And well done that boy and his cooking. He might do it more often with results like that. XXX
Gill, I wish I’d remembered to take a photo of his meal, but if I’d done that I’d have gone hungry! :) xx
Dirty Granny’s and Boobie Breads! Just the laugh I needed this Friday evening.
Nothing like a little innuendo to bring an end of week giggle, eh Lisa? :)
I’ve never heard of Dirty Granny but it suits me :) I need to start making sourdough!
M, you KNOW you only have to say so, and I’ll send you some starter! :)
This is cool Celia. In all the time I have been making sourdough I have never added anything to my starter other than flour and water. But, clever people like you and Anne and Jane are adding cider and yoghurt. I need to try this! I love that your son is cooking dinner too, that is special x
Jane, dinner really was special! And the cider is a new one to me too, although I have played around with a barm (beer starter). The cider was nicer! :)
Any meal made by my sons is stellar in my eyes. And actually pretty marvelous in my mouth as well! Your bread is mouthwateringly magnificent. I wasn’t going to bake today- but you have made me hungry for a good loaf of freshly baked bread!
Heidi, we always need a freshly baked loaf, don’t we? :) My starter is rising in the kitchen as I type. How’s Thing 2 going?
The name of the cider is such a giggle – and the resulting boob and nipple do rather look as if poor old granny has keeled over and is sleeping it off. Big Boy’s cavalier attitude with your beautiful port made me smile – you have taught him well Celia – never cook with inferior hooch. I do hope your finger is feeling better, you’re such a trouper to have gone on to make that batch of bread. I couldn’t sleep so have come to check on my starter for tomorrow’s baking – Patsy’s a trouper too she’s bubbling up nicely. I’ve got some grains soaking and I’m hoping to make ciabatta too. This time I’ve only been able to get the durum semolina which hasn’t been re-milled.
Patsy is such a star, Jan! I’m so glad she makes you happy! :)
Wow, that sandwich looks delectable!
I finally got around to doing up the first batch of artichokes last night. I cut the chokes out and put them in a boiling pot for a bit then finished them off in a skillet with an insane amount of garlic and olive oil.
Now you got me thinking about homemade mayo. Hugs, Maz
I wish I could eat in your kitchen Maz, I never really know what to do with artichokes! :)
PS. Did you hear about the discounted hitman who killed three people in the supermarket? The headline read “Artie Chokes Three for a Dollar”. :)
Apple cider sourdoughs work well don’t they. (I do love that too, that what ever you have left over and can throw at a sourdough it pretty much works.)
I know you don’t drink coffee, but have you done a coffee soak with grains and left over espresso- works really well!
Brydie, it sounds like an interesting idea, but there isn’t even proper coffee to make that with here! (Only instant!) :) If you come to visit, bring your own! :)
I’m adding cider to my shopping list today!
Tandy, remember to drink half the bottle first! :)
Hi Celia,
Was trawling the net looking for ideas on what to plant in autumn and came across your wonderful blog. Stayed up late looking through your back log. Woke up early and bought huge bags of various flour from Harkola. Always had a fear of making my own bread but you have inspired me. Think I’m gonna try the bagels first.
Staci, that’s fabulous, thank you so much for letting me know! Isn’t Harkola wonderful? The bagels are great fun, but a little labour intensive:
https://figjamandlimecordial.com/bagel-making-tutorial/
Hehe have you seen the ad for this cider! :o The billboard is interesting to say the least! :P And I like how thinly you sliced the bread and the chicken and mayo filling. The ratio looks perfect and well done Big Boy and Pete for the dinner too!
No! I’ll have to look out for it! Thanks for inspiring lunch darling, wish you could have come over for it, it was MUCH better than that Costco chicken!
One of my favourite Mellow Bakers breads was the Hamelman cider and apple sourdough, I remember rushing around trying to find the right cider for it and then realising after I had made it that cider in US speak means pressed apple juice which has just started to ferment, whereas here it means what they call ‘hard cider’. Your bread and your lunch look lovely darling ! xx
Thanks dearheart! All our ciders here are alcoholic as well! :) xx
Awesome post Celia here is my second go at sourdough bread http://flic.kr/s/aHsjF4swjC
Looks fantastic Linda! :)
[…] reading my friends blog @ https://figjamandlimecordial.com/2013/05/10/dirty-granny-sourdough/ I decided I would have another go at making it so I woke my starter up by feeding it and taking […]
I hate throwing food away Celia – but I NEVER throw alcohol away!! I sometimes freeze left over wine for cooking – would work for cider too.
Sally, I used to freeze wine for cooking as well – don’t do it as much these days with the new stelvin caps…
OK, I’ve said before that something had the best title, but forget it, this does. Looks great to boot.
In hindsight, I now wish I’d called it “Dirty Granny Booby Bread”.. :)
I drink cider regularly, and the idea of putting leftovers in bread sounds delicious! My sourdough starter seems to have died… I’ve been feeding it dedicatedly for a few weeks now but then the cold snap in the weather… argh, I think it froze to death in our study. Where do you keep your starter? I think I need to read up on your breadmaking techniques, all of your loaves look amazing!
Laura, sorry to take a while to reply! I keep my starter in the fridge, and just pull out a small portion to feed up each time I bake!
Aw, no problems re the reply Celia (you are pretty busy!). Thanks for responding though. Will try the refrigeration method!