I've made quite a few yeast breads in the last couple of weeks and they've all turned out really well. I've always liked a good English muffin toasted with a touch of butter and jam. This homemade version hit the spot and I will definitely be making them again and again. I like that I can make the dough the night before and put it on the griddle in the morning. The cornmeal crust made a bit of a mess, but it was worth it. I split them open and toasted them a little and I ate mine with a poached egg on top. Delish!
English Muffins
adapted from Artisan Breads Every Day
I cooked mine in ring forms, but you can cut the top and bottom off of a tuna fish can or the ring to a large canning jar and that would work just as well.
2 t honey
1 T oil
1 1/2 c warm milk
2 2/3 cup bread flour
1 1/2 t kosher salt
2 t instant or rapid rise yeast
1/4 t baking soda
3 T warm water
1/2 c cornmeal
Dissolve honey in the milk and oil mixture. In a stand mixer bowl, add the flour, salt, and yeast together, Stir to combine. Add the milk mixture and mix until combined and sticky. Switch to a bread hook and mix for another minute. Transfer dough into a greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap, making sure to place directly on the surface of the dough so that it does not dry out or form a skin. Refrigerate overnight or up to 4 days.
Take the dough out 2 hours before baking and let it come to room temperature. Just before cooking, mix baking soda and water together and then fold into dough. Let the dough rest for 5 minutes while you heat a nonstick pan or cast iron pan or griddle. Spray each ring with cooking spray or wipe with oiled paper towel. Dip oiled rings into cornmeal and then place on oiled cooking surface. Sprinkle more cornmeal in the bottom of the ring and then put a scant 1/3 cup batter in each ring. Sprinkle more cornmeal on the surface of the batter. You'll want your heat to be on medium or medium low since you are cooking these for 10-12 minutes per side. Flip after batter is golden brown on one side and top is dry on the edges and bubbly.
I flipped them rings and all. If you remove the rings too early the batter squishes out at the edges and they are a little less perfect looking - but they taste just as good! These were great fresh and held up quite well. We ate them within 4 days, and even on day 4 they tasted fresh and tender.
