Homemade baguettes

I've been practicing, not only for those tomato sandwiches of summer, but for Dan's birthday – a sandwich dinner, complete with homemade bread. Quite an audacious commitment for someone that has never made bread before.

But I was determined. I mean how difficult could it be? Well, I've learned that bread making is a craft. It takes nurturing, patience and practice. And patience is a virtue I was not born with. Hey, I could have worse faults. And I seem to have the nurturing and practicing down.

I had recommended the book Dough to my old roommate Charlie who lives across the pond and works in the same office space on Flood Street that I used to work in, all those years ago. His glowing reports (and instant messaged instructions) made me have a go. I can't tell you how rewarding it was.

I didn't cook the first batch for long enough and didn't have enough mist in the oven for a good, crusty crust. With amendments, the second batch tasted like baguettes "from a bakery" (quote). Result! Those skinny jeans are well and truly out of the window.

Click on for the sandwich menu. I'm also working on getting the recipe into "American" form (volume as opposed to weight, although weight may be better with something as precise as bread making).

Too busy making these to take any pictures of them, but we had:

Grilled New York state cheddar, bacon and granny smith
Gorgonzola dolce and buckwheat honey
Buffalo mozzarella, peaches, mint and prosciutto
BLT with Applegate bacon and avocado
Artisanal brie, honey, mustard and granny smith

And we finished with a nutella cake, which I shall post tomorrow.

Comments

[Patricia Scarpin]

That book is fantastic and I love the DVD as well.
I think your baguettes look fabulous and oh, so delicious.
A sandwich dinner sounds like a great idea.