Okay I'll admit it.  I'm a carb girl.  I love bread, rolls, pasta and about any other carb on the planet.  I try to limit my carbs but sometimes a girl needs a hunk of bread slathered with butter.  We had guests over for dinner Friday night and I made this baguette.  It was so easy to make and about impossible to mess up.  It is a perfect compliment to any Italian dish or bowl of soup.  Try making this bread the next time you host dinner...you'll even impress yourself. 

Baguette
*sisterscafe

1 1/2 cups warm water
1 1/2 Tbs. (2 pkgs) dry yeast
2 tsp. sugar
3 1/4 cups flour
2 tsp. salt

In a small bowl mix the warm water with the yeast and sugar.  Let it sit for about 5 minutes - foam should form on the top.

In a large mixing bowl combine the flour and salt.  Gradually add the yeast mixture.  Mix until the dough becomes a smooth ball and knead for 5 minutes.  (I use my Kitchen Aid with the dough hook).

Cut in half and then shape into 2 baguettes.  To make them smooth and pretty, roll each half of dough into rectangle and roll up lengthwise.  Pinch the edges to seal and place on lightly greased cookie sheet (or silpat) with seam down.  Cover and let it rise for 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.  With a very sharp serrated knife gently make a slash down the length of each baguette.  This will give it that authentic look.  Pour water in a cookie sheet and place it on the bottom rack of the oven (this will give the bread a firm crust).  Sprinkle bread with herbs if desired.  Bake the bread for 15 minutes.  Halfway through, brush the bread with melted butter.  Cook until golden brown.

Labels: bread

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