Mix the pre-ferment ingredients in a small bowl, cover and let rest overnight at room temperature.

Combine all ingredients, and mix and knead them- by hand, mixer or bread machine - until you have a dough that's cohesive, but whose surface is still a bit rough. If you use bread machine, cancel after about 7 minutes of kneading. Cover with lightly greased plastic wrap and allow to rise for 3 to 4 hours, gently deflating and turning over once each hour.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide into 3 pieces. Shape each into a rough, slightly flattened oval. Cover with greased plastic and let rise 15 minutes. Lightly grease a large baking sheet or line with parchment.

Working with one piece of dough at a time, keeping the others covered, fold dough in half lengthwise, and seal the edges with the heel of your hand. Flatten it slightly, and fold and seal again. With seam side down, cup your fingers and gently roll the dough into a 16 inch log.

Place them on the prepared pan. Cover with lightly greased plastic and allow to rise 30 minutes. Drape gently with heavily greased plastic wrap (don't anchor the wrap to the edges of the pan), and refrigerate overnight. The next day let loaves rest at room temperature for about 1 1/2 hours, covered with proof cover or lightly greased plastic wrap, before baking.

About 30 minutes before you're ready to bake the baguettes, preheat oven to 425 degrees F. If you're using a stone place it on the lowest shelf.

Uncover. Lift them along with parchment onto a peel, and then transfer them to stone. If you're using a baking sheet, simply place the sheet on the middle of the rack of the oven.

Bake for 18 minutes, cover lightly with foil. Bake for additional 5 minutes, until they're deep golden brown. Best served the same day.

I use my Lodge cast iron pizza pan for bread to give it the crisp outside that we love.

I used the perforated aluminum french baguette pan. I purchased from Amazon. There's a link included in the post if you want to check it out.

I also use my bamboo paddle for getting bread to the hot stone and back to the counter without burning myself. There's a link included for that as well.