Knead: Difference between revisions

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(Kneading clay and kneading dough use quite different techniques)
 
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==Kneading Dough ==
'''Kneading''' is the manual manipulation of a object to render it more usable. OK, that was vague. Here are some examples:


*[[Bread]] [[dough]] is kneaded in order to "work" the gluten in the dough to make the finished bread rise higher and be chewier. Failure to knead adequately may result in a bread that breaks apart like a [[biscuit]] instead of having the fine web-like crumb that well-developed gluten will give.
[[Bread]] [[dough]] is kneaded in order to develop the gluten in the dough. Gluten is a protein that gives bread dough an elastic texture. This elasticity allows the dough to hold gas bubbles produced by yeast. The more gluten, the higher the rise and the chewier the finished product. Failure to knead adequately may result in a bread that is dense and lumpy instead of having the fine web-like crumb that well-developed gluten will give.
*[[Clay]] is usually kneaded to remove air bubbles within the clay that would adversely effect the outcome of the [[pottery]] during firing. Failure to knead adequately may result in broken pottery when fired, or worse, an explosion within the kiln when an air bubble expands drastically when heated.


===How to Knead Dough===
==Kneading Dough ==
#Shape the dough roughly into a ball and place it in the middle of your surface.
#Shape the dough roughly into a ball and place it in the middle of your surface.
#Pull the side of the ball furthest from you back, folding it over slightly.
#Pull the side of the ball furthest from you back, folding it over slightly.
#Push the folded ball forward and down with that heel of your hand. Don't press to hard-- you're trying to rock and slightly stretch the dough, not squash it.
#Push the folded ball forward and down with that heel of your hand. Don't press too hard-- you're trying to rock and stretch the dough, not squash it.
#Repeat the last two steps.
#Repeat the last two steps.


Well-kneaded bread dough can be recognised by its smooth, satiny surface and elastic consistancy. Dough made mainly with white wheaten flour will need to be kneaded 250-300 strokes to reach this point. Other doughs may need up to 450 strokes.
Well-kneaded bread dough can be recognised by its smooth, satiny surface and elastic consistancy. Dough made mainly with white wheaten flour will need to be kneaded 250-300 strokes to reach this point. Other doughs may need up to 450 strokes.



==Kneading Clay==
==Kneading Clay==

#Push the mass of clay very firmly against the work surface.
[[Clay]] is usually kneaded to remove any air bubbles that could cause a piece of pottery to break or even explode during firing.
#Lift the clay and turn it so that a different edge is against the work surface.

===How to Knead Clay===
#Push, slap, or throw the mass of clay very firmly against the work surface.
#Lift the clay and turn it so that a different edge faces the work surface.
#Repeat.
#Repeat.


Clay is well kneaded when all air bubbles have been removed.


[[category:cooking]]
[[category:cooking]]

Latest revision as of 08:16, 13 October 2008

Kneading Dough

Bread dough is kneaded in order to develop the gluten in the dough. Gluten is a protein that gives bread dough an elastic texture. This elasticity allows the dough to hold gas bubbles produced by yeast. The more gluten, the higher the rise and the chewier the finished product. Failure to knead adequately may result in a bread that is dense and lumpy instead of having the fine web-like crumb that well-developed gluten will give.

How to Knead Dough

  1. Shape the dough roughly into a ball and place it in the middle of your surface.
  2. Pull the side of the ball furthest from you back, folding it over slightly.
  3. Push the folded ball forward and down with that heel of your hand. Don't press too hard-- you're trying to rock and stretch the dough, not squash it.
  4. Repeat the last two steps.

Well-kneaded bread dough can be recognised by its smooth, satiny surface and elastic consistancy. Dough made mainly with white wheaten flour will need to be kneaded 250-300 strokes to reach this point. Other doughs may need up to 450 strokes.

Kneading Clay

Clay is usually kneaded to remove any air bubbles that could cause a piece of pottery to break or even explode during firing.

How to Knead Clay

  1. Push, slap, or throw the mass of clay very firmly against the work surface.
  2. Lift the clay and turn it so that a different edge faces the work surface.
  3. Repeat.