TABATIERE

It was so much fun, baking this beautiful looking bread with friendly texture and the taste was surprisingly delicious.  It was not hard going, simply went with the flow, and it turned out just as I want it.

Tabatiere
Ingredients

600 g white flour
water 300m
salt 10g
Leaven, make in the morning at 6 am.  It is ready to be used in the afternoon at 1-2 o'clock
150 g (1 tablespoon sourdough starter, 75g flour, 75g water)

In the afternoon, autolyse.
Mix flour, water together, and rest for 3 hours.
Add the salt, leaven and mix to a smooth dough.
Cover with a damp cloth, rest on a bench for one hour
- the dough should be almost double in size
Divide the dough into three, shape into small balls, cover with
a damp cloth, rest for 25 minutes
Shaping
Turn the balls over, and pull the edges to the middle, knead lightly
To make a smooth ball, turn it over.  Flat the third dough and roll it
Away from you to create a thin flap. Dust the flat dough with rye flour.
Lift the flap over to cover the ball, and place in the proofing basket (the flap down)
Rest on the bench to rise for one hour and a half (1hour and 30 minutes)
Take it out from the proofing basket, transfer to the lined tray with baking paper, the flap is up.
Score with a beautiful leaf picture
Bake in a hot oven at 225 degrees C for 35 minutes.

The Process

The dough has proofed so well.

Dividing and shaping

Final Shaping, and put on a lined basket to proof for one hour.

Score before baking

Freshly Baked, Beautiful Tabatiere.

Cut the bread when it is cold. Enjoy with cheese, tomato, roasted capsicum, any topping you fancy.

This bread is so pretty looking, excellent for a hostess gift. I would be proud to take along with me to present to the lady of the house.  Sliced afterwards and serve with cheeses.

I post it now around Christmas, the keen baker may like to try, and it could be useful for gifts or to add to the festive table.  Otherwise, the New Year is not far to go, cut the fresh loaf to small slices top with any delicious cold meat or cheese to offer to guesses to be enjoyed together with a glass of wine.