OK, so it has been sliced open... WOW, it's great, never had bread like this. Not sure I can describe it.
Crust is very... crusty (?)... not like French bread or a baguette but a definite chew. I like it!
Inside is soft and fluffy (think box store - Wonder type) but much more flavourful. Not super white. Not so soft I couldn't butter it with room temp butter. Although I guess the crust helps to hold its shape.
The taste, flavour - beautiful!! You do notice the sweetness. Normally I would have reduced it but .. first time, you know, stick to the recipe. Not sorry I did.
It is not a 'sweet' bread (as in coffe cake type things). Have yet to make toast or a sandwich but really can't see it fail.
This is a King Arthur recipe for Pain de Mie and I can't complain. I used my bread machine, all liquids first, then all the powders. Has Powdered Milk and Potato Four (had to use Potato Starch but told it's OK). Used Instant Yeast rather than the Bread Machine Yeast. Almost missed the fact that it had it's first rise in the machine. Luckily I clued in and got it into the pan for its second rise.
Great stuff. Watch out neighbours, you might be finding loaves of bread on your doorstep.
Old lady just might be on a roll! (could that be a pun?)
