Marianne Baguette Traditional Rustic French Bread Recipes

TRADITIONAL ARTISAN STYLE BAGUETTE - RUSTIC FRENCH BREAD

Steps:

• Place the yeast, honey and warm water in a large bowl and let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the salt and the flour. Use a wooden spoon to stir 2 cups of the flour mixture into the yeast mixture; stir in the remaining flour mixture (dough will be stiff).
• Turn out onto a lightly floured work surface. Knead with floured hands until dough is smooth and elastic, about 5-7 minutes. Add a little flour, 1 tablespoon at a time as necessary, to prevent dough from sticking.
• Place in an oiled bowl, turning once to coat. Cover with plastic wrap (or a clean kitchen towel) and leave to rise until doubled in bulk, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Preheat oven to 400F degrees.
• Gently punch dough down to deflate it and shape into two oblong baguettes. Dust tops lightly with flour and place on a lightly greased baking sheet; let rise uncovered for 30 minutes.
• Use a serrated knife to cut 3-5 small diagonal slits across the tops of the baguettes, and lightly sprinkle with cool water.
• Bake in the middle of oven for 25-30 minutes, until golden. Transfer to a rack to cool.
• Best eaten the same day.

MARIANNE BAGUETTE - TRADITIONAL RUSTIC FRENCH BREAD

Steps:

• Put the ingredients into the bread machine. Set to the dough programme and start. Grease a large baking tray & Pre-heat oven to 220C/400°F.
• Once the dough is ready, turn it out onto a floured surface and punch it down to deflate it. Shape dough into two long "baguette" shaped loaves and place on the baking sheet. Cover loosely with lightly oiled cling-film and leave to rise for about 30 minutes until doubled in size.
• Meanwhile, place an oven proof bowl containing water on the bottom of the oven to heat up. (About 250mls).
• Sprinkle top of dough with flour, then using a sharp knife cut 5 diagonal small slits across the tops of the baguettes.
• Bake for 15 minutes then reduce temperature to 190C/375F and bake for a further 10 - 15 minutes. (If they start browning too quickly, cover loosely with foil on top.).
• Transfer to wire rack to cool.
• Eat immediately.

RUSTIC FRENCH BREAD

Steps:

• Plan on making sponge first.
• I use active yeast and mix with water first to proof it. After 5 minutes, mix in flour with plastic or wood utensil until starter leaves side of bowl. I like to use a glass mason jar with lid. Let sit at least 6 hours in warm place until it triples, refrigerate if not using right away(take out and leave at room temperature for an hour before use).
• Mix in 4 1/2 cups of flour (I used 2 cups whole wheat and the rest white), water, sponge starter, salt. Knead for about 10 minutes. Dough should be sticky, but not stick to your hands. Place in lightly oiled bowl and turn over once to coat.
• Let rise until double in bulk (about 2-3 hours).
• Punch down and shape into 2 loaves on 2 cookies sheets dusted with flour.
• Place in warm place (I heat oven alittle and place in it .)Let rise until double.
• Preheat oven to 450. Place a small pan on lower shelf to hold 2 cups of boiling water. Score top of loaves with and x.
• Place boiling water in pan on lower shelf, place loaves on center shelf and bake for 40 minutes. I baked mine for 30. Bottom of bread should sound hollow. I agree as stated by reviewer, 450 degree was too high a temperature for full 40 minutes. I baked until golden brown all over for 30 minutes, turned off oven with bread inside for last 10 minutes directly on rack.
• Turn off oven and let sit for 10 minutes to develop crust. Take out and let cool off on cooling rack. I served with my recipe for roasted garlic.

KITTENCAL'S FRENCH BREAD/BAGUETTE (KITCHEN AID MIXER STAND MIXER

Steps:

• Attach the dough hook to heavy duty stand mixer.
• In a small cup or bowl mix 1 teaspoon sugar into 1 cup warm water until combined.
• Stir in 1 tablespoon plus 1/2 teaspoon active dry yeast and mix gently.
• Cover the cup and allow to proof until foamy (about 8 minutes, if the yeast does not foam discard and make again).
• Place 5-1/2 cups flour in the stainless steel mixing bowl along with the salt, sugar and 5 tablespoons oil.
• After the yeast has proofed add to the bowl along with remaining 1 cup warm water.
• Start kneading process adding in more flour a tablespoon at a time as needed to create a soft smooth semi-sticky dough (kneading should take about 8 minutes).
• Place the dough onto a lightly floured surface; cover with a clean tea towel and let rest for 3 minutes (this is important, allow to sit for 3 minutes).
• Oil a large deep bowl.
• Gather up the dough and gently knead into a ball (the dough will come together easily after resting).
• Place the dough into the bowl, then cover with plastic wrap and allow to rise for about 1 hour or until doubled.
• Punch down the dough and remove to a lightly floured surface.
• Divide the dough evenly in half.
• Cover both pieces of dough and allow to rest for 5 minutes (this will make shaping the dough easier).
• Roll each dough into about a 9 x 12-inch rectangle, then roll up jelly-roll fashion starting at long edge.
• Seal edges and seam of each loaf.
• Grease a large jelly-roll pan then sprinkle with about 2 tablespoons cornmeal.
• Place the two long shaped loaves onto the pan seam-side down spacing apart.
• Using a razor blade or a small sharp knife slash each loaf 3 times diagonally.
• In a small cup whisk an egg white then brush over each loaf.
• Sprinkle the tops with about 2 teaspoons seasme seeds for each loaf.
• Cover with a clean tea towel and allow to rise in a warm place for about 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Bake for about 30-35 minutes or until golden brown.