French Baguettes (Original video)

Ingredients:

• 700 grams of flour
• 520 grams of water
• 8 grams of salt
• 2 grams of instant or active dried yeast

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, mix together the flour, salt, and yeast.
2. Make a well in the center of the mixture and add the water.
3. Using a wooden spoon handle, bring the mixture together to form a shaggy mass.
4. Cover the bowl with a shower cap and let it rest and rise for 45 minutes.
5. Repeat the rest and rise process three more times, folding the dough after each 45-minute period.
6. After the final rise, divide the dough into four pieces and shape them into pre-shapes.
7. Cover the pre-shapes with oiled cling film and let them rest for 15-20 minutes.
8. Flatten each pre-shape into a rectangle and roll tightly into a baguette shape.
9. Place the baguettes onto a greased perforated baguette tray and let them proof for 30 minutes.
10. Preheat the oven to 230 degrees Celsius and place a pan of hot water on the bottom shelf.
11. Score each baguette four times with a lame or curved baker's blade.
12. Spray the baguettes with water and bake for 16 minutes.
13. Let the baguettes cool on a wire rack for at least 15 minutes before serving.