To ear or not to ear
One of the things I wonder about is whether to strive for ears or not. I have two ideals for what I would like my breads to look like (after the apocalypse, I guess.) One is a loaf by Larry: http://www.thefreshloaf.com/node/17236/agony-defeat-and-thrill-victory [1] (see second picture down) a pain au levain with the most lovely ears. The second are loaves by Andy where the cuts look like they have been painted on they have opened so smoothly: http://www.thefreshloaf.com/node/21867/boules-made-gilchesters-flours-and-different-preferments [2]. When I read Farine's interview with Gérard Rubaud, he made some snide remark to the effect that ears are vulgar. (My paraphrase, I can't remember his exact words.) I know there's no right or wrong answer here, but are there two schools of thought, or just multiple styles of bread-making? Oh, and another question - is a gringe the same thing as an ear - and is the word a corruption of grigne? Enquiring minds want to know. -Varda