Simple baking tip for a crusty loaf

[Carine]

I've been making a plain white crispy cobb for a few years but it wasn't until I got the French cookbook Mille et une pates...a pain that I adjusted the cooking temperature to get the nicest possible result.  I couldn't see this info in the bread section so here you go  :

For a lovely crust try to :
- put a loaf tin filled up to about 2-3 cm with water in your oven, to create a humid environment
- preheat your oven to 230- 240 deg C,  20mn before you bake your bread
- slash your bread just before you slide it in the oven
- bake it at 230-240 deg C for the first 30mn, then at 200 deg C for 15mn.

I also slide my bread on a pizza stone.

Hope my explanations make sense- can't seem to find my english words today 
Oh, and here is a pic of the bread I made today (550g laucke bread flour- 320g whey instead of water, but water works just fine- 2tsp dry yeast- 1/2 tsp salt).  Very basic ingredients but it works!

[courton]

Great tips - thank you!

[cookie1]

Lovely looking crust.

[achookwoman]

Carine,  loaf looks great.  Like you I usually slash the top just before I put it in the oven.  Some professional bakers suggest slashing when 3/4 through 2nd. rise.  Is the Laucke flour the mix or the Organic Baker's flour.?  If it is the mix,  then the salt is already included.   If it is not,  then 1 teaspoon of sugar or honey may help with the rising. 

[Bedlam]

Carine, your loaf looks wonderful.
Thanks for sharing your tips. X

[Frozzie]

Do you like the book carine?? ....its one of my favs and im loving the soup book too..especially at the moment 

[Halex]

Carine, your bread looks amazing.

H

[Carine]

Thanks ladies 

Achookwoman, I use the Laucke "crusty white" bread mix.  I still like adding some salt (only 375mg/ 100g in the mix) as it strengthens the dough.

Frozzie, I do like the bread book!  I'll probably make a few more "viennoiseries" when the weather cools down here. 
This book took a while to get to me... As you know I got my mum to get it from TMX France in August.  BUT by November I still hadn't received it    So my mum ordered a second copy which arrived 10 days after posting in December.  The sad thing is that the first copy turned up a week ago!!!   My mum has now decided to insure every single parcel (the first book parcel wasn't  )  Will never know who stuffed up : La poste or Australia Post...

By the way does any french speaker want a copy of 1001 pates..a pain and A table avec Thermomix - french version of every day cooking ? I'm wiling to post these in exchange for a few recipes

[goldfish]

Carine, my daughter would adore the bread book . . . .if it's still available please let me know - either here or PM.  Many thanks!!!

[DizzyGirl]

Carine, that bread looks amazing. I will have to come down (after CMAA and the hot weather finishes) and get some bread making advice.

[Carine]

Goldfish, I've PMed you..

Not a pb DG!  Should really organize a New England thermomixers gathering... after the frantic CMAA 

[Frozzie]

That happens carine.... Sometimes ive totally forgotten about a parcel and when it eventually arrives its suchba surprise...very annoying though but if not too expensive i often get parces insured...you never know!!

Ive msde the painbauxvraisins....very yummy and just like yhe boulangere...havent got ariund to the pain au chocolat but i want to order the choc strips that go inthem..too many things to try....its my fav french book...but they are releasing more and more and appsrently there is a family one but i have never sen it as its always out of stock but everyone is raving about it...will have to wait and see (not to ge confused with petit plats grands tables..thats a diff book)

If you ever want anything from over here xarine just let e know.....i know you have your mum but if ever you need anything just let me know.

 

[Carine]

Merci Frozzie.  T'es trop gentille  
I agree : too many recipes and not enough time to try them all!

[Frozzie]

  dh thinks life isnt long enough to try all the recipes i have