French Baguettes

These are really easy and really yummy. The last time I made them I also threw some rosemary into one of the batches which was a nice addition.

The only downside to these is that if you're puppy happens to get a hold of one of the rising loaves your screwed and can expect a $750 vet bill. Yes our wonderful little Puddles ate one, got drunk and shit her brains out at the emergency vets office at 2 am. It was going to be expensive anyway, but in the interest of not getting shit on while we slept Greg and I decided to have them watch her overnight. Of course the poop isn't really why we left her, she was drunk and we wanted to make sure she was going to be ok.

Stolen from Allrecipes.com

French Baguettes

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup water
• 2 1/2 cups bread flour
• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons bread machine yeast
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 tablespoon water

DIRECTIONS

1. Place 1 cup water, bread flour, sugar, salt and yeast into bread machine pan in the order recommended by manufacturer. Select Dough cycle, and press Start.
2. When the cycle has completed, place dough in a greased bowl, turning to coat all sides. Cover, and let rise in a warm place for about 30 minutes, or until doubled in bulk. Dough is ready if indentation remains when touched.
3. Punch down dough. On a lightly floured surface, roll into a 16x12 inch rectangle. Cut dough in half, creating two 8x12 inch rectangles. Roll up each half of dough tightly, beginning at 12 inch side, pounding out any air bubbles as you go. Roll gently back and forth to taper end. Place 3 inches apart on a greased cookie sheet. Make deep diagonal slashes across loaves every 2 inches, or make one lengthwise slash on each loaf. Cover, and let rise in a warm place for 30 to 40 minutes, or until doubled in bulk.
4. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Mix egg yolk with 1 tablespoon water; brush over tops of loaves.
5. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden brown.