I had so much high hopes for The Bread Baker's Apprentice Challenge # 22: Pain de Campagne but wasn't too thrilled with the result. It is not as tasty as Pain a l'Ancienne. The tight crumb is soft-ish although chewy, which is good. The book doesn't have any photo of the crumb so I can't really tell if it is supposed to be open or tight. I don't really care because I won't be baking this bread anytime soon. The flavor is so-so and there's nothing to rave and write about it. I decided to substitute photos for a lengthy write-up instead.
The only thing I enjoyed the most in making this bread is the shaping. The couronne Bordelaise looks so pretty but the book does not have the instructions which I found here. It's really fun to make and you don't really need a lined banneton to be able to shape it. A 10-inch pie plate or skillet and a smooth kitchen towel will do the job.
I improvised a couronne basket by taping a small plastic container in the middle of a wicker banneton with removable liner
the lining was dusted with lots of flour before laying on top of basket and plastic container
proofing
proofed dough inverted on a piece of parchment and ready for baking
the bread up close
Rating:
flavor 3
texture 3
visual appeal 4
ease of preparation 5
performance 3
worth 2Total: 20
Average: 3.3
10 comments:
I'm so impressed with your wreath! That is so gorgeous! It's a shame you were less than thrilled with the taste.
Wow, that is one gorgeous bread. Too bad about the taste. Well, at least you learned a new skill in shaping.
Mags, I think it's easier to shape than the epi. I should have used rye flour like you did, maybe the flavor would have been better.:)
Cindy, thanks. That is so true; I'll shape the upcoming sourdough breads using this method.:)
Totally and completely gorgeous! Hope mine turns out half as well.
Oggi, the wreath is beautiful. Too bad you didn't like the taste.
Janice and Anne Marie, thanks.:)
I hadn't even thought about shaping this other than in the epi form that every one else is using. This one looks so pretty, I might have to go this route...
MisterRios, I was going to make part of the dough into epi but the interesting photo of the crown in the book made me change my mind.:)
Oh, what an amazing wreath!!!! I wish I had made this one. I made the épi (as everyone else did), and wasn't that happy with the result, even though it was fun trying out a new shape.
AP, thanks. I enjoyed shaping this one.:)
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