Vietnamese baguette
The Vietnamese baguette, also known as “bánh mì,” fuses French influence with Vietnamese flavors. This light, crusty bread is traditionally filled with a variety of ingredients such as marinated pork, cucumbers, pickled carrots, cilantro and chilies, creating an explosion of flavors and textures in every bite. Its popularity has spread beyond Vietnam, becoming an international classic of street food.
Ingredients:
• 500g wheat flour
• 300ml of warm water
• 10g active dry yeast
• 10g of sugar
• 10g of salt
• Vegetable oil
For an authentic Vietnamese baguette, make sure the dough has a light, airy texture to get the classic crispy outside crust and soft inside crumb.
Preparation:
1. Mix the yeast and sugar in the warm water. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy.
2. In a large bowl, mix the flour and salt.
3. Make a well in the center of the flour and pour in the yeast mixture. Gradually mix in the flour from the edges until a sticky dough forms.
4. Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
5. Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly greased bowl. Cover the bowl with a damp cloth and let the dough rest in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
6. Once the dough has doubled in size, knead it again for a few minutes to remove excess air. Divide the dough into portions of the desired size for your baguettes.
7. Shape each portion into an elongated baguette shape. Place them on a lightly floured or parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
8. Make some diagonal cuts on the top of each baguette with a sharp knife.
9. Cover the baguettes with a damp cloth and let them rest for another 30 minutes.
10. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 220°C.
11. Once the baguettes have rested, bake them in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes, or until they are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
12. Let them cool on a rack before cutting them and enjoying them filled with your favorite ingredients to make bánh mì.
I hope you enjoy your homemade Vietnamese baguette!
Leave a Comment