OK, this is to note a variation in the recipé, so I know what I've done (and it's only just gone into the over):

500g potatoes, steamed then mashed
75 ml olive oil
1000g plain flour
3 tsp salt
75 g fresh yeast
250 ml water

Mixing the flour and mashed potato, and adding more flour and water as I go until I've got a stiffer dough.

The rising is nothing like as explosive (about 90 minutes to double in volume) and I'm baking for 40 minutes rather than 30.

ETA: Note that these are the changes: the loaf is still steam baked, as per previous post. See comments for picture of the result.

Also, I moistened the top and added poppy seed to the top.

Conclusion: a bit more water (this was half the previous amount) next time, and maybe a 35 minute bake.

Brown defeated over Gurkha rules (BBC)

Which is good. A couple of thousand years ago, Rome gave citizenship rights to those who'd served in its armed forces for a sufficient period. It's been shameful that this country hasn't done the same. If people are willing to fight and die for this country, then we should permit them to live here after their service is finished.

Flora Thompson: Lark Rise to Candleford

Paperback: 528 pages
Publisher: Folio Socienty
ISBN-10: (The Folio Society doesn't do ISBNs)
Category(ies): Fiction, Social History

( The reviewCollapse ) I will be rereading this. My sister Dorcas (not to be confused etc.) apparently does so every couple of years.