Marraqueta is a popular bread in South America known for its crispy exterior.
Marraqueta, also known as pan frances, is the most popular bread in Chile. It is believed by many that the bread traces back to the late 19th century and early 20th century in Valparaiso, Chile. During that time, there were two French bakers who were brothers under the last name of Teran-Marraquet. The bread was invented and named after them, and with no time, the bread became extremely popular amongst Chileans.
Ingredients
3 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
3 1/2 cups bread flour
1 teaspoon brown sugar
2 2/3 cup cold water
1 1/2 teaspoon instant yeast
2 1/2 teaspoons salt
Vegetable oil spray
Instructions
Combine flour, salt, brown sugar, and yeast in the bowl of the mixer or bread machine or mixer. Add water and mix until it forms a ball. Dump onto a floured counter and knead vigorously for 10 minutes. Place in a clean bowl, drizzle with vegetable oil and cover the bowl and let rise for 30 minutes. Knead gently into a ball and let rest 90 minutes or more in the bowl until doubled in size.
Divide the dough into six equal portions and make balls with them. Sprinkle lightly with vegetable oil spray, put them in a large Ziploc bag and let stand 30 minutes.
Prepare two baking sheets, cover with parchment paper, spray with vegetable oil and cover with semolina or cornmeal.
To shape the Marraquetas: Make a ball and stretch very gently by hand, trying to make an oblong shape. With a wooden or metal rod (the handle of wooden spoon works, for example) make a cross. Then again sprayed with vegetable oil spray and place in prepared sheet, put them in the plastic bag and let them grow for 15 minutes. Refrigerate overnight.
The day after taking from the refrigerator must have grown between 50-75% of its original size, let it stand 1 hour at room temperature. Remove from the bag 15 minutes before placing them in the oven.
Preheat oven to 475F or 245C with a pizza stone inside. Put an empty pie pan on the oven floor. Put 1 cup of hot water into the pie pan. Put the Marraquetas in the oven over the stone, leaving the parchment paper. Sprinkle the loaves of bread and the oven walls with water slightly. Repeat 2 minutes later. And then one minute later. Reduce oven temperature to 450F or 230C.
Bake for 10 minutes. Rotate the pan. Continue baking 10 minutes or until well browned. Turn off the oven and leave in for 5-10 minutes, until they look dark and seem to not stand another minute in the oven.
Remove and let stand on a rack for at least 30 minutes. Eat!
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