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Chilean marraqueta, also known as “pan batido” or “pan francés,” is a classic of national baking, loved by many and one of the most consumed breads in the entire country.
Contenido
How to Prepare Marraqueta?
Marraqueta is characterized as a light bread made only with flour, water, and yeast, without fat, similar to French baguettes or Spanish bread, with a crispy texture and a neutral flavor.
Chilean Marraqueta Recipe
Prep Time: 90 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Calorías: 250 kcal
Servings: 6 people
Ingredients
- 1 kg wheat flour
- 600 ml water
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 15 g dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon sugar
Instructions
- In a large cup, add a little warm water and mix with the dry or fresh yeast and sugar. Stir to dissolve and let it rest for 10 minutes in a warm place.
- In a large bowl, place the sifted flour and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in the yeast mixture and the remaining water. Mix with your hands or a wooden spoon until you get a uniform, smooth, and semi-soft dough. Knead for about 10 minutes and transfer the dough to a greased bowl. Cover with a clean cloth and let it ferment (proof) for 30 minutes.
- Divide the dough into portions of approximately 100 grams each. Shape each portion into a ball with the palm of your hand and knead gently in a circular motion. Place them on a clean surface and let them rest covered for another 30 minutes.
- Take two portions of dough and knead gently to give them an elongated shape. Split the dough in half with a long, thin tool, giving them the characteristic marraqueta shape. Arrange the breads on a buttered tray, brush with a little oil, and let them rest again for 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 220°C (428°F) for 15 minutes. Place the marraquetas in the oven and bake for about 20 minutes until lightly golden on the surface. Remove and cool on a wire rack.
Tips and Tricks
It is recommended to place a container of boiled water on the lower rack of the oven during the first 10 minutes of baking or to spray water inside the oven every 3 to 4 minutes to achieve an even crispier marraqueta.
Nutritional Porperties
Marraqueta is a good source of complex carbohydrates, providing sustained energy, with small amounts of plant-based proteins. It also provides minerals like sodium and magnesium, as well as B vitamins from wheat flour, essential for energy metabolism.
Origin of Marraqueta
Although its origin remains a mystery, it is believed to have been developed in Valparaíso by a pair of French immigrant brothers with the surname “Marraquette,” where it became popular and later spread throughout Chile.
