Method

1. Place the flour, salt, yeast, olive oil and most of the water in a food mixer with a dough hook attached, taking care not to let the yeast touch the salt until you begin mixing.

2. Start mixing on a slow speed, gradually adding the rest of the water until you have a smooth dough. This should take about five minutes.

3. Tip the dough into an oiled bowl, cover and leave the dough to prove for two hours.

4. Tip the dough out onto an oiled surface. Dust your hands in a little flour and divide the dough in two.

5. Knock back the dough and stretch and fold, and then roll the dough into a baguette shape.

6. Place on a baguette tray or a large baking tray, cover and leave to prove until it has doubled in size.

7. Heat a roasting dish in the bottom of the oven and pour in some water to create some steam (this will help form the crust). Preheat the oven to 220C/425F/Gas 7 in a non-fan oven.

8. Just before baking, slash the top of each baguette three times.

9. Bake the baguettes for 30 minutes. Then drop the temperature to 200C/400G/Gas 6 and cook for 10 minutes. The baked baguettes should be golden-brown and have a slight sheen to them.