Best 4 Barcelona Baguette Recipes

BARCELONA BAGUETTE

Steps:

• Split the baguette lengthways and drizzle the cut sides with oil. Halve the tomatoes, then squeeze the pulp into the bread (see tip, right, for using the remaining tomato) and season. Cover half the baguette with ham and scatter with rocket. Put the top of the baguette on and press down. Cut into 4 and wrap tightly in foil. See tip, below left.

CLASSIC ITALIAN PRESSED BAGUETTE

Steps:

• Split the baguette open and lightly brush with oil, then season lightly with salt and pepper. Thinly slice the roasted pepper. Layer on the prosciutto, provolone, basil, red pepper, balsamic glaze and salami. Top with the top half of the baguette. (Layering the meat on the bottom and top of the sandwich prevents the fillings from soaking through and making the bread soggy.)
• Put a bowl or other heavy object (such as a large can or jar) on the sandwich to press it for 1 hour before serving. Or, pack it in the bottom of your lunchbox, under a glass container or drink.

CLASSIC BAGUETTE

Steps:

• Make and ferment the poolish: Combine the water and yeast in a medium bowl. Let stand 1 minute, then stir with a wooden spoon until yeast is dissolved. Add the flour and stir until the consistency of a thick batter. Continue stirring for about 100 strokes or until the strands of gluten come off the spoon when you press the back of the spoon against the bowl. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Cover with a clean damp towel or plastic wrap and put in a moderately warm, draft-free place until it doubles in volume.
• Mix and knead the final dough: Measure the remaining ingredients. Measure and transfer 1 cup (9 ounces) of the poolish into a 6-quart bowl. (Discard remaining poolish) Add the water and yeast. Break the poolish up well with a wooden spoon and stir until it loosens and the mixture foams slightly. Add 1 cup of the flour and stir until well combined. Add the salt and only enough of the remaining flour to make a thick mass that is difficult to stir. Turn out onto a well-floured surface. Knead, adding more flour as needed, until the dough is soft and smooth, 15 to 17 minutes total. The dough is ready when a little dough pulled from the mass springs back quickly.
• Ferment the dough: Shape the dough into a ball and let it rest on a lightly floured surface while you scrape, clean, and lightly oil the large bowl. Place the dough in the bowl and turn once to coat with oil. Take the dough's temperature: the ideal is 78 degrees. Cover with a clean damp towel or plastic wrap and put in a moderately warm (74 to 80 degrees) draft-free place until doubled in volume, and a slight indentation remains after pressing a finger into the dough.
• Divide the dough and rest: Deflate the dough by pushing down in the center and pulling up on the sides. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured work surface and knead briefly. Cut into 4 equal pieces. Flatten each with the heel of your hand and shape into a tight ball. Cover with a clean damp towel or plastic wrap and put in a moderately warm draft-free place for 30 minutes.
• Shape the dough into loaves: Flatten each with the heel of your hand on an unfloured board. Shape each into a 14-inch loaf.
• Proof the loaves: Place the loaves seam side up in a well-floured couche. Cover with a clean damp towel or plastic wrap and put in a moderately warm draft-free place until increased in volume about 1 1/2 times, or until a slight indentation remains when the dough is pressed with a fingertip.
• Bake the loaves: 45 minutes to 1 hour before baking, preheat the oven and homemade hearth or baking stone on the center rack of the oven to 450 degrees. The oven rack must be in the center of the oven. Gently roll the loaf onto a lightly floured peel, seam side down. Score the loaf with a sharp razor blade or serrated knife making quick shallow cuts. Using the peel, slide the loaves onto the hearth. Quickly repeat with the next 2 loaves. Quickly spray the inner walls and floor of the oven with cold water until steam has filled the oven. Quickly close the door to trap the steam and bake 3 minutes. Spray again, closing the door quickly so that the steam doesn't escape. Bake until the loaves are a rich caramel color and the crusts are firm, 15 to 20 minutes.
• To test the loaves for doneness, remove from the pans and hold them upside down. Strike the bottom firmly with your finger. If the sound is hollow, the breads are done. If not, bake 5 minutes longer. Cool completely on a wire rack.

FRENCH BAGUETTE (FOOD PROCESSOR)

Steps:

• Place warm water in the food processor. Stir in the sugar and yeast. Let stand for 5 minutes. Process for 5 seconds.
• Add 1 cup flour and process 5 seconds. Add salt and rest of the flour and process until it form a ball. Then process for 40 seconds.
• Remove the dough from the food processor. Pour 1/2 tsp of olive oil in a bowl and with a paper towel coat the bowl with the oil. Place the dough in the bowl, covering it with some of the oil. Cover with a clean dish towel and allow to it to rise for about 1 hour or until doubled.
• Punch down and shape into a baguette. Make 4 slashes in the dough.
• Preheat oven to 425. Add a pan of water in the bottom of the oven.
• Bake for 15 minutes, spraying it with water 4 times during the cooking time. Reduce oven to 350 and bake another 20 minutes or until golden.
• Option: Brush with an egg glaze for a shiny loaf before baking.