Directions: |
Directions:Heat oven to 450. In large bowl, dissolve yeast, sugar and salt in warm water. Let stand for 10 minutes. Stir in about 4 cups of flour and turn dough out onto a floured surface. Using a pastry scraper, lift and turn the soft dough, adding flour as needed until it sticks together enough to knead. Add more flour if necessary and knead for at least 10 minutes or until it is smooth and elastic. Put in a clean bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let rise for 45 minutes in warm place.
Turn dough out of bowl on a floured board, pat flat, and dust with a little bit of flour and fold in half to make a half circle, then fold again to form a quarter circle. Return dough to bowl and let rise for another 30 minutes.
Turn dough out on a board, pat flat, and fold in half. Cut into 4 equal pieces, and form into balls and let rest for 5 minutes. Flatten each ball into an oval, and roll up very tightly like a jelly roll. Form into a long loaf by rolling back and forth until desired length. Place in greased pans or on a cookie sheet. Let loaves rise for another 30 minutes, covering with a clean dry towel.
Brush loaves with a well beaten salted egg white, then slash every 3 inches with a sharp knife or a razor blade. (slash at least 1/4 inch deep) Bake at 450 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until well browned.
These loaves freeze well and can be reheated. Place directly on oven shelf in a 350 degree oven for 10 minutes. |
This recipe for Baguettes is from