First time in a long time I've made the tartine country loaf and actually followed the recipe. God, it's so good. The way the dough feels, the sheen on the crust, the smell is incredible, just an absolutely fantastic recipe
(I will admit they look pretty underproofed, this recipe usually doesn't have that vigorous of oven spring or a big ear, but I was impatient)
My shaping was also mediocre at best
Loaf 1: 15 hour cold proof
Loaf 2: 16ish hours
Other than aesthetics, what is the benefit from having an ear form?
Literally none. I tend to score my loaves straight down the middle, at a 90° angle, which gives the best oven spring without a massive ear