Baguette

Making baguettes at home is a bit of a long process, but the result can be very satisfying. I’ll provide you with a basic recipe for making homemade French baguettes, but keep in mind that to every existing recipe, we Italians could always add a local touch if you wish.

Ingredients

• 500 g of type 00 or type 0 soft wheat flour
• 10 g of fine salt
• 5 g of dry baker’s yeast or 15 g of fresh baker’s yeast
• 350 ml of lukewarm water

Preparation

1. Dissolve the yeast in lukewarm water in a large bowl and let it rest for a few minutes.
2. Mix the flour with the salt in a large bowl, make a well in the center, and pour in the yeast dissolved in the water.
3. Start to incorporate the flour into the yeast water using a fork or your fingers until you have a homogeneous mixture.
4. Transfer the dough onto a working surface and start to knead vigorously for about 10 minutes, until the dough is smooth and elastic. If necessary, add more flour sparingly, as the baguettes should have a high hydration.
5. Place the dough in a clean bowl, cover it with a damp kitchen towel or clear film, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-2 hours or until it doubles in volume.
6. Once doubled, gently turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and divide it into 2-4 pieces, depending on the size of the baguettes you want.
7. Preform each piece of dough into an oval and then let them rest for about 15 minutes covered with a kitchen towel.
8. Then, shape each piece into a baguette: extend each piece into a rectangle, then fold the top and bottom towards the center like a wallet and gently roll it to get an elongated shape.
9. Place the baguettes on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, cover them with a kitchen towel, and let them rise again for about one hour or until they have almost doubled in size.
10. In the meantime, preheat the oven to 240 °C, and if you have a baking stone or a heavy baking tray, put it in the oven to heat up.
11. Before baking, make diagonal slashes on the surface of the baguettes with a razor blade or a very sharp knife.
12. Bake the baguettes and create steam in the oven: you can pour a few tablespoons of water onto a hot tray placed at the bottom of the oven or mist water with a spray bottle. The steam will help to form a crunchy crust.
13. Cook the baguettes for about 20-25 minutes or until they are golden brown and crispy.
14. Let them cool on a wire rack before serving.

Curiosity

The baguette is a symbol of French culture, but in Italy, we also have bread that can be similar in shape, such as the Genoese stirata. The baguette is also famous for its crunchy crust and its very soft interior, which make it perfect for accompanying cheese, cold cuts, or simply enjoying with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.