If you like to bake French bread, you may know what this gift is.
Several years ago I was researching baking better French loaves, specifically keeping the loaves from flattening out. That's when I came across these baguette pans.
Instead of rising dough and baking on a flat baking sheet, these scoop-shaped pans support the dough along the edges, allowing for a taller and narrower finished loaf.
Baguette pans come in two, three, four, and five loaf versions. Mine is a two loaf pan, but you can imagine five of these "scoops" joined together.
All of the tiny holes in the pan help crisp up the bottom of each loaf. And yes, the pans' holes leave markings on the bottom of each loaf.
My kids asked me a while ago what I'd like as a gift for my birthday. Over the weekend, my son and daughter-in-law came over to celebrate both my and my husband's birthdays (our birthdays are 6 days apart). That's when I was presented with my very own baguette pan.
I made a batch of baguettes this afternoon. I shaped my dough on the countertop then transferred to the pan. It was actually very easy to move the thin lengths of dough into the pan without over-stretching. I basically rolled each length into its "scoop."
I bake French bread about once every two weeks. I'll be using this pan from now on. It kept my bread's shape, and the pan itself was as easy to clean as a baking sheet. I found no down sides to the baguette pan.
This was a practical gift that was also fun for me. For years I couldn't justify buying one for myself. But I was super pleased to receive one as a gift. And I think my family is happy that I'm putting it to use already.
What's the best practical gift that you've ever received?
What a great gift. The best practical gift I ever got was a microwave oven. Years ago, when we were first married, my husband's grandmother got us a microwave. At that point in time, they weren't that common and were expensive. We would have never gotten one for ourselves, but quickly learned to use it and used it all the time.
ReplyDeleteHi Live and Learn,
DeleteA microwave does sound like a pretty great gift. I know what you mean about how expensive they were back then. Ours was a wedding gift from my husband's siblings, who all chipped in for one for us. We wouldn't have bought one for ourselves at that point (both still students).
Congratulations, Lili! That IS a great gift! I got one of those back in 2019 (I think). Mine doesn't have the holes (which I'm sure are better), and just about that time, I stopped baking as much bread (for a number of reasons); but that pan is REALLY GREAT when I DO want to make French bread. I think you'll love having it! Sara
ReplyDeleteHi Sara,
DeleteThanks. I think I will enjoy using it. As a bonus, it doesn't take up much room to store. Usually, specialty cookware or bakeware take up more room to store than I want to give up. We all agreed that the bread was somehow better baked in the wells of the pan.
I have had mine for a few years and love them, too! I'm of the practical type and love gifts like that. Enjoy your yummy and beautiful french baguette bread!
ReplyDeleteHi Ruthie,
DeleteThank you! I'm glad to hear that you've enjoyed using your pan. I hope to continue enjoy baking with mine for a long while.
Oooh, that looks fun. I don't make French bread but I'm sure if I did, having the proper pan would make it more enjoyable.
ReplyDeleteMy husband got me 2 large planter pots for my front porch (along with other garden goodies) one year for my birthday. I had wanted them but money was tight and it seemed like an unnecessary expense. So thoughtful!
Hi Kris,
DeleteThat was very thoughtful of your husband! He could see that you would really enjoy having those planters but were reluctant to spend for them. A nice gift in many ways.
Nice! That bread looks delicious!
ReplyDeleteBest practical gift here? Several years ago now, my mom got us a Shark steam mop for our anniversary (they had always given us money to go out to dinner in the past). At the time, I was rather disappointed, but have grown to appreciate it very much. I can disinfect the floors or other surfaces simply using distilled water, no harsh chemicals. No scent either, unless I choose to add some by adding a few drops of essential oil to the mop cover ( I love eucalypus and citrus together!). Besides the floors, I like to use it on the the wall behind the trash can.
Cat
Hi Cat,
DeleteThat gift sounds wonderful! To be able to get hard floors really clean without chemicals, that is not only helpful, but thoughtful for you and your family's health. I bet it's a lot easier to use than scrubbing with a brush, too!
We hardly ever exchange birthday or Christmas gifts with other adults in our family. Gifts are usually always given to kids under 18 yo. Because throughout the year, we give food, money and things we see while shopping to our children and grandchildren. We're not rich but we're also not high maintenance. I hope we have projected our future needs correctly.
ReplyDeleteWe have a similar pan, bought at the thrift store many years ago amd haven't used it yet. Now I'm curious to use it.
Have a great weekend,
Laura