Baguettes

Fresh baked bread. I think I'm going to make this a habit.

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

Mix the wet ingredients together (which includes sugar, I guess because it dissolves). Add the yeast to it. Stir the mixture into the flour and work it a little bit. If it's two wet (like mine was) add some more flour. After kneading it for a little while, form it into a ball and place it in a large greased bowl. Cover the bowl with a dish towel and let the dough rise in a warm spot for 30 minutes.

Punch down the dough and roll it out onto a floured surface into a 12"x16" rectangle. Cut the dough in half so you have two 8x12 pieces. Roll the dough along the 12" length, pressing out any air bubbles. Place the rolled dough onto a non-stick baking surface, cut some slits in the top, cover and let rise for another 30-40 minutes.

Brush the top of the dough with a beaten egg white and bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

Dinner was a big chunk torn off with some olive tapenade and mozzarella.