January 8, 2010 - 5:42pm
How does one go from "en couche" to "out of couche"?
I finally have gotten around to trying my hand at final fermenting en couche & certainly can appreciate the added structure, but I am having a difficult time getting the baguettes out of the cloth & onto the peel. I tried using parchment during the final proof, but it tends to stick to the sides of the loaf. My last batch rose well, but unloading was frustrating. Any tips?
-d
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You can always spritz a bit of oil on the sides of the parchment you're concerned will touch the bread, then rub it into the parchment. That will keep it from sticking.
When the final fermentation is finished, slide the parchment and bread to your peel and into the oven.
If you are proofing your loaves on parchment, you can bake them on the parchment. Just transfer the parchment to your baking stone, if you use one, with a peel or a cookie sheet. The bread will stick to the parchment until the parchment is heated. Heat activates the non-stick feature. This takes 10-15 minutes in the oven.
If you use a linen couche, rub flour into it before placing the loaves on it. When they are ready to bake, transfer them to your peel with a "transfer peel," also known as a "flipping board." This is a thin, fairly rigid board usually about 4 X 15 inches which is dusted with flour. The "flipping technique" can be described, if needed. I've seen some videos of this on you-tube, but they move pretty fast.
I hope this helps. If you have more questions, please ask.
David
I'm thinking of getting a 1/4" plank of basswood from the hobby store. Do I need to treat it in any way?
-d
No need for treatment - just slip a knee-high hosiery over the board and you're good to go.
In fact, you don't even need to buy basswood. A piece of stiff cardboard works just as well and has a better price tag: free.
I love the inventive spirit around this place.
-d
I've a linen couche that has had been floured multiple times and I floured it yet again today when I put my baguettes on to rise. I cannot avoid having the dough (75% hydration) eventually stick to the couche because of the dough's water content. Any guidance?
Thanks in advance.
Sorry for the repetition: I found other threads on the forum after having posted the one above
Here's a quick sketch I just did which should help illustrate the process.
One thing to really be sure of is that your couche is well floured before you place the dough on it so the wet dough doesn't stick when you're trying to remove it. So rub in plenty of flour into your material. I've found that a mix of half bread flour and half rice flour works really great. Don't remove the flour from the couche when you're all done. Let it dry (it will have absorbed a little of the moisture from the dough) then carefully fold the couche, flour and all, and put it away. You won't need to add much flour next time.
For a flip board, you want something thin and easy to handle, I use a 2-foot piece of excess laminate floor plank since it's thin, light and has a very durable surface (and I happen to have some). But a length of pine board would do as well.
Thank you, that is exactly what I was searching for.
-d
Expand this and include it in the TFL handbook!
David
That is a nice illustration.
Hey, I second that montion on putting it in the handbook. it is a great illustration. One that clearly shows what to do!
This is an AWESOME illustration!! Thank you for sharing that.....now....Theres a TFL Handbook?????
I WANT ONE!!
The TFL Handbook is in front of you - just click on the Handbook link at the top of the page.
Lots of other good stuff up there.
Well....will wonders never cease!! If I ONLY had EYES!!!! This site is one of the 2 things I do as soon as I log onto my computer each day....and MANY times during the day when I'm not working.....I feel like a total IDIOT!! Thank you Lindy!! I have turned SO many friends onto this site and EVERY day it gets better and better for me!!! THANK YOU and THANK YOU FLOYD!!!!!
Jannrn
Rice flour intead of white flour works better! Keeps the couche cleaner and absorbs less moisture keeping it non clumpy, try it on peel too.
So why have I always made it so hard? I just had a total "head/desk" moment when I looked at your illustration. Thanks so much.
Here is a Youtube video on this ...but I like your illustration better!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hpk0R5tR-pw&feature=channel_page
Penny
I LOVE the diagram as I have run into this sticking issue myself. Cardboard and the diagram will solve the problem.
Thanks for your cleverness.
Dorothy, shuttervector