Franche-Comté sticks

Boil the Morteau sausage using as little water as possible. For once, prick with a fork or knife point to add flavour to the cooking water.

Leave to cook then remove the sausage and save 3 cups + 3 tablespoons water for making the bread dough.

In bread-making, the water temperature is always important. It's not a fixed value, but related to 3 other temperatures: 1) the temperature of your flour, 2) the room temperature in your kitchen, and 3) the basic temperature of this recipe, which is 58-64°C.

You can calculate the temperature of the water for this recipe in one click, using this small calculator.

Put into a food processor bowl: 10 cups flour, 3 cups + 3 tablespoons water at the correct temperature, 3 cups + 3 tablespoons leaven,2 tablespoons salt and 1 tablespoon yeast.

Knead on the slowest speed for 10 minutes, then on the next speed for 3 minutes.

Note: For the best way to knead, see: A few tips for effective kneading at home.

Cut 2 ²⁄₃ cups Morteau sausage into small dice.

Add the diced sausage and 2 ²⁄₃ cups metton cancoillotte to the dough mixture.

Knead for a few more minutes until well mixed.

Gather the dough into a ball, put into a clean bowl and cover with a sheet of plastic. Leave to rest for 2 hours.

After this time, cut the dough into 8 pieces of the same weight and roll these into balls.

Cover these with a sheet of plastic and leave to rest for 30 minutes.

Then shape the balls into sticks ('ficelles' in French), as shown in this video.

As you finish them, lay them on a baking sheet. Cover with a sheet of plastic and leave to rest for 1 hour 30 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 240°C (460°F).

'Slash' the tops of the sticks...

...and bake for around 15 minutes.

Note: As when baking any bread, you should ensure that the oven is filled with steam for the first 15 minutes of baking. This page shows you how; it really is the secret of golden-brown, crusty loaves..

Serve in slices.