Author Topic: Plaited Loaf (with photo)  (Read 10545 times)

Offline JuliaBalbilla

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Plaited Loaf (with photo)
« on: January 27, 2012, 03:56:55 pm »
Name of Recipe:  Plaited Loaf

This plaited loaf is made with 6 braids, rather than the more usual 3 and needs to be started the evening before.  

Makes:  1 large loaf

Ingredients:
330ml milk
550g strong white bread flour
7g fast action yeast
50g olive oil
¾ teaspoon salt
1 large egg, beaten
Oil for greasing
1 egg, beaten, for brushing

Preparation:  
The evening before, mix all of the milk, half (275g) of the flour and the yeast in a bowl (do not use the TM bowl). Cover with clingfilm or a shower cap and leave overnight in the fridge.
The following morning, remove the bowl from the fridge and allow to come up to room temperature.
Tip the mixture into the TM bowl together with the other 275g flour and the remaining ingredients.
4 minutes /   ::.
Leave in the TM bowl until it is pushing up the MC.
Shape into a ball and place in an oiled bowl and leave, covered until almost double its size.
Divide into 6 - use your scales - trying not to deflate the dough too much..
Roll each piece into 'sausages' about 20 cm in length.
Hold them upright in front of you and attach the ends to each other.
Take the first right-hand braid and pass over the following two (2-3) under 4 and over the last two (5-6).
At this stage, the first part finds itself at the end beyond braid 6 and braid 2 is found at the extreme right.
You continue as before, so take what is now braid 1, pass it over 2 and 3, under 4, and over 5 and 6.
Repeat these actions until the plait is complete and then seal the end.
Cover and allow to prove.
Brush with the egg and bake in a pre-heated oven at 180° C (350° F - gas 4), [fan oven 160° C & reduce cooking time by 10 mins per hour], for 50 minutes.
You may wish to turn the bread round after 30 minutes, if your oven is like mine and cooks unevenly and I would recommend that you turn it upside down for the final 10 minutes of the cooking time.
When baked, allow to cool on a wire rack.

Origin:  This is my own recipe, but the plaiting method is explained at Ma Cabane aux Délices
Rosemary from Bournemouth formerly Gloucestershire

Offline achookwoman

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Re: Plaited Loaf (with photo)
« Reply #1 on: January 27, 2012, 07:38:49 pm »
Thanks JB.   What a beautiful loaf.   Very clear instructions.

Offline JuliaBalbilla

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Re: Plaited Loaf (with photo)
« Reply #2 on: January 27, 2012, 10:38:07 pm »
Thanks Chookie.  It does require patience but tastes fine.  You need to keep stretching the braids as you plait them.  Again, there is no need to do the extra rising, but as you may know, it is my habit and you can probably make it without the overnight sponge  ha, ha.  I made the same dough in the Kenwood Chef ar the same time, as DH wanted

JB
Rosemary from Bournemouth formerly Gloucestershire

Offline judydawn

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Re: Plaited Loaf (with photo)
« Reply #3 on: January 27, 2012, 11:06:13 pm »
Wonderful loaf JB, bet you were proud of that  :-* I once tried to do something like that but got myself so bamboozled, I gave up  :-))
Judy from North Haven, South Australia

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Offline DizzyGirl

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Re: Plaited Loaf (with photo)
« Reply #4 on: January 27, 2012, 11:24:59 pm »
JD at least you tried.  ;D
Exercise is a dirty word... Every time I hear it, I wash my mouth out with chocolate

Offline JulieO

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Re: Plaited Loaf (with photo)
« Reply #5 on: January 27, 2012, 11:41:55 pm »
Gorgeous looking loaf!  I'm the same JD, I have trouble plaiting.  :-))

Offline JuliaBalbilla

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Re: Plaited Loaf (with photo)
« Reply #6 on: January 28, 2012, 11:18:34 am »
Plaiting is a bit of a pain, I must admit.  What I find particulary difficult is sealing the ends as they never seem to stick together very neatly.  I shall try a new technique next time and see how that works.

JB
Rosemary from Bournemouth formerly Gloucestershire

Offline CreamPuff63

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Re: Plaited Loaf (with photo)
« Reply #7 on: January 28, 2012, 11:20:38 am »
press the three pieces together, and then just tuck under.
Non Consultant from Perth, Western Australia

A balanced diet is a biscuit in each hand

Offline cookie1

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Re: Plaited Loaf (with photo)
« Reply #8 on: January 29, 2012, 06:13:12 am »
This looks lovely. I must try it in the next couple of days.
May all dairy items in your fridge be of questionable vintage.

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Offline JuliaBalbilla

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Re: Plaited Loaf (with photo)
« Reply #9 on: January 29, 2012, 09:57:30 am »
Thanks CP, I will give that a go, but there are 6 pieces in this loaf so may still be quite tricky!   

JB
Rosemary from Bournemouth formerly Gloucestershire

Offline fundj&e

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Re: Plaited Loaf (with photo)
« Reply #10 on: January 29, 2012, 11:04:31 am »
would u believe a x hairdresser does not know how to plait  :-))
i don't need a recipe i'm italian

Offline CreamPuff63

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Re: Plaited Loaf (with photo)
« Reply #11 on: January 29, 2012, 12:27:23 pm »
You are very clever. I was looking at the plait pattern and thinking "I'm sure I must plait differently?", but that explains the difference! I hope that tip works for you.
Non Consultant from Perth, Western Australia

A balanced diet is a biscuit in each hand

Offline JuliaBalbilla

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Re: Plaited Loaf (with photo)
« Reply #12 on: January 29, 2012, 09:03:18 pm »
Thanks CP, but it is only due to instructions from the Ma Cabane blog that I even attempted it ...

Fundj, not sure who is the hairdresser but I would find it easier to do with hair than dough  ;D  I might experiment with DH's hair and see what happens as his is long enough - see pic  :-\ 
Rosemary from Bournemouth formerly Gloucestershire

Offline fundj&e

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Re: Plaited Loaf (with photo)
« Reply #13 on: January 29, 2012, 09:24:29 pm »
JB its long enough  ;D

i am the x hairdresser  :-))
i don't need a recipe i'm italian

Offline DizzyGirl

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Re: Plaited Loaf (with photo)
« Reply #14 on: January 29, 2012, 11:41:09 pm »
Shouldn't have told us that fundj, we will all want haircuts when we come to visit you  :D
Exercise is a dirty word... Every time I hear it, I wash my mouth out with chocolate