French Baguettes

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups water, warm
1 tsp yeast
3 1/4 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp salt

Combine water and yeast in a bowl, and let stand for five minutes. Stir in flour and salt until just incorporated. Cover with a cloth and let stand at room temperature for 20 minutes. Empty contents of the bowl onto a lightly floured surface, and knead until smooth, resilient and elastic (10 to 12 minutes), adding as just enough flour to keep it from sticking. Form dough into a ball, and place in greased bowl. Cover with a cloth and let rise at room temperature for 3 hours, punching down once after 1 1/2 hours. Form dough into two long baguettes. Place on greased pan dusted with cornmeal.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Place a pan full of water on lower rack to create steam.

Let rise again for another 30 minutes. Score loaves with a sharp, serrated knife. Place on top rack in oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

share.eat.repeat.