Biga

Directions

1. 1
   Stir together the flour and yeast in a 4-quart bowl (or in the bowl of an electric mixer).
2. 2
   Add 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons of the water, stirring until everything comes together and makes a coarse ball (or mix on low speed for 1 minute with the paddle attachment).
3. 3
   Adjust the flour or water, according to need, so that the dough is neither too sticky nor too stiff.
4. 4
   (It is better to err on the sticky side, as you can adjust easier during kneading.
5. 5
   It is harder to add water once the dough firms up.)
6. 6
   Sprinkle some flour on the counter and transfer the dough to the counter.
7. 7
   Knead for 4 to 6 minutes (or mix on medium speed with the dough hook for 4 minutes), or until the dough is soft and pliable, tacky but not sticky.
8. 8
   The internal temperature should be 77 to 81F.
9. 9
   Lightly oil a bowl and transfer the dough to the bowl, rolling it around to coat it with oil.
10. 10
    Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and ferment at room temperature for 2 to 4 hours, or until it nearly doubles in size.
11. 11
    Remove the dough from the bowl, knead it lightly to degas, and return it to the bowl, covering the bowl with plastic wrap.
12. 12
    Place the bowl in the refrigerator overnight.
13. 13
    You can keep this in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or freeze it in an airtight plastic bag for up to 3 months.
14. 14
    Biga will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for about 3 months.
15. 15
    You can use it as soon as it ferments, but just as for poolish and pate fermentee, I prefer to give it an overnight retarding to bring out more flavor
16. 16
    In Italy nearly every pre-ferment, including wild yeast or sourdough, is called a biga.
17. 17
    So if you are making a recipe from another source that calls for biga, make sure you check to see exactly what kind of biga it requires.
18. 18
    In this book, biga refers to the particular ratio of ingredients listed here.
19. 19
    You can substitute all-purpose flour for the bread flour if you prefer, or blend all-purpose and bread flour as in pate fermentee.
20. 20
    Biga %
21. 21
    Bread flour: 100%
22. 22
    Instant yeast: .49%
23. 23
    Water: 66.7%
24. 24
    Total 167.2%