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READY IN 1+ days

Biga

Read Reviews (6)

"A biga, or 'starter', adds flavor and extra leavening power to bread dough." — THYCOOK

Ingredients Edit and Save

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Measuring All-Purpose Flour

Original recipe makes 5 cups Change Servings

3/4 teaspoon active dry yeast
1/2 cup warm water

3 1/2 cups unbleached bread flour
1 1/4 cups cold water

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Directions

Place the warm water in a small bowl, and sprinkle the yeast over the top. Let stand until yeast has dissolved and is foamy, about 15 minutes.
Measure flour into a large bowl. Make a well in the center, and pour in the yeast mixture and cold water. Use a sturdy spoon to mix it together until sticky and difficult to stir, but nevertheless thoroughly combined. Cover and allow to ferment for 24 hours in the refrigerator before using.
Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. To use, rinse a measuring cup in cool water, scoop out the amount of starter needed, and bring to room temperature.

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PREP 20 mins
READY IN 1 day 20 mins

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Biga or any other starter isn't something for the occasional baker. This recipe is simple and worked perfectly. I took it out of the refrigerator 6 hours prior to using it for ciabatta to get it to room temp and to increase the yeast activity. The ciabatta came out great!

—bakedinCA

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Most Helpful Critical Review

Oct 12, 2005

I didn't have much success with this. There is only one recipe on this site that uses Biga (foccocia bread) and I didn't think it was very good. It was an interesting experience though and I am still interested in learning about bread starters, but I don't think this is for beginners. I ended up with a lot of Biga left over after I tried the foccocia bread recipe so I modified the Amish friendship bread recipe (also from this site) the best that I could and used it for that. The Amish friendship bread was good and the fermented flavor of the biga in the bread was yummy, but I think one needs to know a little about bread before trying this particular method.

—Cookingfor3

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7 Ratings

Feb 21, 2005

This is the ONLY way to make bread - all breads!

—BRYANCAR

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Jan 20, 2012

I like this formula. It makes beautiful strands. I have been keeping a batch in the fridge and when I'm ready to make French or Italian bread, I put it in a big bowl and leave it on the counter top overnight. (or until room temp if you would rather.) I start to make my usual French or Italian recipe, (for one loaf) adding all of this biga to it, before adding flour. Proceed with your recipe, adding only enough extra flour while kneading that it stops sticking to your hands. Finish as your own recipe directs, forming two loaves instead of one.

—GTM

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Apr 16, 2013

i am gonna make my starter now so i can have sourdough bread this wknd..

—poohbearandhunny

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Aug 24, 2011

I would like to point out, that biga means starter and there are quite a few recipes on this site that use starters. I had some really good success with my biga, but I was curious the consistency I should be looking for, mine is really thick batter, should I add more water or wait it out?

—ruphusandlucy

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Nutrition

Calories
348 kcal
17%

Carbohydrates
69.8 g
23%

Cholesterol
0 mg
0%

Fat
1.6 g
2%

Fiber
2.4 g
10%

Protein
11.7 g
23%

Sodium
2 mg
< 1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Nutritional Information

Biga

Serving Size: 1/5 of a recipe
Servings Per Recipe: 5
Amount Per Serving
** Calories: 348
** Calories from Fat: 15

% Daily Value *
** Total Fat 1.6g 2 %
** Saturated Fat 0.2g 1 %
** Cholesterol 0mg 0 %
** Sodium 2mg < 1 %
** Potassium 108mg 3 %
** Total Carbohydrates 69.8g 23 %
** Dietary Fiber 2.4g 10 %
** Protein 11.7g 23 %
** Sugars 0.3g
** Vitamin A < 1 %
** Vitamin C < 1 %
** Calcium 2 %
** Iron 43 %
** Thiamin 79 %
** Niacin 75 %
** Vitamin B6 3 %
** Magnesium 9 %
** Folate 105 %

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.