Fast and Easy French Baguettes

 

 

 

Isaiah 49:5-6

    [5] And now the LORD says,

        he who formed me from the womb to be his servant,

    to bring Jacob back to him;

        and that Israel might be gathered to him—

    for I am honored in the eyes of the LORD,

        and my God has become my strength—

    [6] he says:

    “It is too light a thing that you should be my servant

        to raise up the tribes of Jacob

        and to bring back the preserved of Israel;

    I will make you as a light for the nations,

        that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”

I am not a baker and have a phobia about baking.

This is the easiest and fastest recipe.

Makes 2 Baguettes 

2 t yeast ( I used quick rise Red Star)

1 T natural honey 

1-1/4 c warm water (110 degrees)

1-1/4 t kosher salt

2-1/2 c bread flour aerated ( I used King Arthur)

2 T Olive oil

Proof yeast, honey and warm water for 10 minutes in a big bowl.

After adding these ingredients together whisk lightly.

It should be foamy after 10 minutes or your yeast is dead and you will have to buy new yeast.

After the proofing is done whisk in the salt.

Slowly add flour and oil using a plastic or rubber spatula.

When dough is sticking together, use hands to work into a shaggy ball.

Cover and set in a non drafty place.

I used a heating pad on low setting which I covered with a tea towel and set bowl on top.

Lightly dust ball top with flour.

Let rise 1 hour.

It should be about double in size.

Flour your work surface.

Work your dough by mashing with palms to slightly flatten and folding over to the middle a few times. 

Just enough to get a firmer consistency.

I only did it maybe 4- 5 times.

I did have to add a sprinkle of flour.

Cut dough in half. 

Roll into 2 equal size balls.

Add more flour to work surface and flatten out to rectangular.

Fold over to 3/4 way like an envelope and mash seam down. 

Using your fingers roll into a oblong cylinder. 

Using fingers roll back and forth.

Stretch and roll to a 12 inch size.

Repeat with other ball.

Sprinkle flour on a sheet pan. 

Place Baguettes on the pan.

Sprinkle a light dusting of flour on top of Baguettes.

Using scissors cut 3 slits on each Baguette.

Preheat oven to 460 degrees.

Let Baguettes rise 30-40 minutes sitting on stove top. 

While waiting on oven to heat fill a foil pan half way up side and place in oven to create steam.

Use middle rack to bake Baguettes for 15 minutes.

Cut oven off and flip pan around. 

Let sit in oven for 2-3 more minutes until bread is lightly browned. 

Remove and cool.

Refrigerate.

This bread is slightly crisp on outside and so soft on the inside.

Winner Winner!!!