French Baguettes
- 2 15/16 cups strong flour
- 3/4 cup white flour
- 3 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 1/4 cups warm water
- 1 teaspoon cornflour
- Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl add the white flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt, and baking powder.
- Add the water and stir until smooth.
- Gradually add the remaining flour, a little at a time, and stir with a fork.
- Form into a dough ball, turn out onto a floured surface, and knead until it no longer sticks to the hands and the dough is smooth and elastic. Add more flour as necessary.
- Cover the dough ball with a towel and leave to rise in a draft-free place until doubled in size. Test with a fingertip: if the dough sinks when pressed and then regains its shape, it is ready.
- When it has risen, flatten the dough on a floured surface.
- Divide into 3 portions and shape into batons.
- Place the 3 baguettes between the folds of a towel, so as not to lose its shape, cover with another towel and leave to double in size.
- Preheat the oven to 200C. and place an oven-proof dish with water on the bottom shelf.
- In a bowl, mix the remaining salt with the cornflour and 2 tablespoons of water.
- Brush the baguettes with this mixture and score the bread diagonally.
- Bake for 35 minutes, brushing with the salt mixture every 10 minutes, until golden and a knock to the base will sound hollow.
flour, white flour, salt, baking powder, water, cornflour
Taken from www.yummly.com/recipe/French-Baguettes-561516 (may not work)