HOMEMADE BAGUETTE BREAD

Ingredients :

500 g strong flour
375 ml water
2 ½ teaspoons fresh yeast
1 ½ teaspoons salt

Preparation :

1. In a bowl with 300 ml water, add the yeast, stir to dissolve and let stand 5 minutes.
2. In a bowl, mix the flour and salt, open in the center and add the yeast water, then cover the sides with the flour and stir with a wooden spoon to form a soft dough. Cover with a tea towel and a “sponge” until it foams and rises, about 20 minutes.
3. Add flour and/or water as needed to form a soft, sticky dough, unmold onto a floured table and knead for about 10 minutes until a soft, supple and homogeneous dough is obtained, adding flour along the way. Deflate the dough, cover again and rise another 45 minutes, until it has doubled in volume.
4. Divide the dough into two equal pieces and form baguettes about 30 centimeters, place the baguettes on a lightly floured baking sheet, cover again and leave to rise for another 50 minutes, until they have doubled in size. volume.
5. Make diagonal cuts on top and bake in a preheated 230°C (446°F) oven for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown and sounding “hollow” when tapped with the finger. Remove from the oven and let the baguette cool on a wire rack.