https://vks.mman.site/ Mostly baking sourdough, occasionally other things. en https://vks.mman.site/writing/the-starter-that-survived-my-holiday.html https://vks.mman.site/writing/the-starter-that-survived-my-holiday.html Sat, 10 Oct 2026 19:52:00 GMT It started, as these things usually do, with a small mistake and too much confidence. The toast from an ugly loaf tastes exactly the same as the toast from a handsome one. https://vks.mman.site/writing/shaping-or-the-art-of-not-panicking.html https://vks.mman.site/writing/shaping-or-the-art-of-not-panicking.html Thu, 03 Sep 2026 20:31:00 GMT Nothing dramatic to report, only a few things I noticed about the shaping. For what it's worth, the bread got noticeably better once I started weighing the water instead of guessing. https://vks.mman.site/writing/some-thoughts-on-scoring.html https://vks.mman.site/writing/some-thoughts-on-scoring.html Sat, 11 Jul 2026 22:28:00 GMT This has been on my mind since the start of summer, so I'm finally writing it down. The first loaf came out with a crust you could knock on and a middle you could have used as mortar. https://vks.mman.site/writing/wetter-dough-bigger-mess.html https://vks.mman.site/writing/wetter-dough-bigger-mess.html Thu, 21 May 2026 07:30:00 GMT One quiet Tuesday evening I finally sat down with my notes on hydration. There is flour on the kitchen radio and I have stopped trying to clean it off. https://vks.mman.site/writing/trusting-the-overnight-proof.html https://vks.mman.site/writing/trusting-the-overnight-proof.html Sun, 12 Apr 2026 13:32:00 GMT The notebook has been filling up lately, and most of it is about the overnight proof. A loaf with a good ear is very satisfying for about a minute, until you cut it and find the tunnels. https://vks.mman.site/writing/loaves-like-paving-slabs.html https://vks.mman.site/writing/loaves-like-paving-slabs.html Sat, 28 Feb 2026 21:38:00 GMT Some weeks the whole hobby comes down to one small thing, and lately that has been the bulk ferment. I now keep the starter in the fridge and feed it when I remember, and it seems to bear no grudge. https://vks.mman.site/writing/feeding-schedules-for-disorganised-people.html https://vks.mman.site/writing/feeding-schedules-for-disorganised-people.html Sat, 20 Dec 2025 09:47:00 GMT It has been a wet December, which left plenty of time to think about the feeding schedule. My kitchen runs cold in the mornings, so the dough takes far longer than any recipe suggests. https://vks.mman.site/writing/in-defence-of-a-dense-rye.html https://vks.mman.site/writing/in-defence-of-a-dense-rye.html Thu, 23 Oct 2025 07:18:00 GMT I've been meaning to write about the rye loaf for two seasons. The bread got noticeably better once I started weighing the water instead of guessing. https://vks.mman.site/writing/the-cast-iron-pot-one-year-on.html https://vks.mman.site/writing/the-cast-iron-pot-one-year-on.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 12:22:00 GMT Every so often someone I met through the hobby asks how things are going with the cast-iron pot, and I never have a short answer. Then again, folding the dough every half hour fits nicely around the radio and a pot of tea.