Posted by Gerard on February 05, 1998 at 16:22:03:
In Reply to: Need help with bread baskets! posted by Jim on January 25, 1998 at 15:21:47:
: I am a bartender, but I'm posting this for one of the cooks where I work because he doesn't have access to the net! We're having trouble with making baskets out of hard bread. They make the baskets and they look great, but after a few days the baskets crack. He was curious if this was because of the recipe, or altitude (southern Idaho), humidity, oven temp or what. Any replies would be greatly appreciated!
They crack because its drying out, shrinking and hence cracks and
falls apart. These are bestr made (if not required to be edible)
with salt dough, its cooked in a saucepan first then modelled to whatever shape you need, basket etc, and finally colored and browned in the oven.
This will not shrink because its pre cooked.
Any half decent baking book has the formula, if you need it I'll look it up
Regards, Gerard (boston)
PS what restaurant is this?