Taillaule (Neuchatel) (E)
breads, desserts
1 kg flour
2 1/2 deciliter warm milk
40 gm fresh yeast
2 eggs; (1)
1 eggs; (2)
120 gm sugar
150 gm butter; softened
20 gm malt extract; powder or liquid
15 gm salt
250 gm raisins
1 lemon zest; grated
1 apricot glaze and water icing
1 flaked almonds; optional
(Units: 100 g = 3 1/2 oz; 1 dl = 3 1/2 fl oz = 2/5 cup; 180 oC = 350 oF; 200 oC = 400 oF; 230 oC = 450 oF; 250 oC = 475 oF; 2.5 cm = 1 inch)
TAILLAULE FROM NEUCHATEL: the story
"Taillaule", a sort of sweetened bread, was made differently in the past. It was a flattened ball of dough baked directly on the floor of the oven. The surface was cut sharply with a pointed knife or snipped with scissors to form deep parallel cuts. This gave rise to its name "taillaule" meaning cut. These early "taillaules" had a somewhat different flavour from the present day moulded loaves.
The recipe:
Add the yeast, eggs (1), sugar, malt, salt, lemon zest and flour to the milk. Knead well to obtain a smooth dough. Add the softened butter and knead again. Finally add the dried fruit.
Cover the dough and leave to rise in a warm place for about 1 hour.
Divide the dough into 2 equal parts as if making two French sticks and place in 2 fruit cake tins.
Leave again in a warm place to rise to 3/4 height of tin.
Brush with beaten egg (2) and make zig zag cuts with the scissors in the surface.
Bake in the tins at 200 oC for 25 minutes .
Remove from oven, brush with an apricot glaze and then coat with a water icing.
Toasted flaked almonds can be sprinkled on top.
Recommended drink: tea or coffee.
Culinary Art and Traditions of Switzerland, Pro Gastronomia, 1992
Typed for you by Rene Gagnaux @ 2:301/212.19
from my kitchen to------------------------------->yours..... Dan Klepach [dank@easyst.com]
Yield: 1 bread