Pan Cubano (Cuban Bread)
- 2 1/2 cups flour, unbleached all-purpose
- 2 1/2 teaspoons yeast, active dry
- 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening or lard
- 1 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar, light
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 cup water warm (110-115 degrees)
- 24 inches butchers twine pre-soaked for 30 minutes
- 1 each eggs beaten with 1 Tbs. water
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, mix the flour, yeast, shortening or lard, sugar, salt and water until a soft dough forms.
- Knead for 7 to 9 minutes or until smooth.
- Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl and cover loosely with plastic wrap.
- Allow the dough to rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently press to de-flate the dough.
- Press and roll the dough into a long, flat baguette.
- Transfer the dough to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel and let it rest for 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Place the pre-soaked kitchen twine on top of the dough in a long figure 8 pattern and gently brush with the egg wash. Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown and hollow sounding when tapped on the bottom.
- Carefully remove the twine from the top of the bread.
- Transfer the bread to a rack to cool completely.
flour, yeast, vegetable shortening, brown sugar, kosher salt, water, butchers twine, eggs
Taken from recipeland.com/recipe/v/pan-cubano-cuban-bread-53440 (may not work)