First French Baguettes

[trapper]

I tried French Baguettes last weekend and they turned out great.

I made a poolish the night before and also heated up the oven the night before as I wanted to bake the bread in the morning.

The next morning I made the baguette dough with the poolish at 65% hydration. I steamed the oven before the baguettes went in and every five minutes during baking for the first fifteen minutes. Actually when I steamed the oven I even gave the baguettes a good spray of water. It was like they were in a sauna. Let the steam escape for the last five minutes and BAM! They were done.

I had one latter in the afternoon when they cooled with blue cheese and hot capicola OMG they were good. Crispy crust with a nice chew to it.

I will definitely make these again in two weeks for our Thanksgiving dinner.

[TropicalCoasting]

Re: First French Baguettes

I was reading a book I think it was the Artisan Baker but not 100% sure.
French flour has fava bean flour in it
This gives French baguettes a unique smell and taste.
Probably increase/evens out the protein levels in flour for a predictable result too.