Thursday, November 20, 2008

French Bread


French Bread is a really simple and delicious bread to make. I love it with spaghetti or lasagna or toasted with butter, cheese and garlic.

French Bread

Dissolve:
2 pkg. (2 Tbsp.) yeast in 1/2 c. warm water.

Combine:
2 c. hot water
3 Tbsp. sugar
1 Tbsp. salt
1/3 c. oil
3 c. flour

Stir well, then stir in yeast. Add 3 c. more flour and mix well. Leave spoon in batter (or leave it in your mixer) and let it rest for 10 minutes. Stir down. Repeat 5 times. (A total of 6 times). Knead lightly and divide into 2 parts . Roll up in oblong loaves. Let rise 30 minutes. Cut 3 diagonal slices into each top. Bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes or until nice and brown. (You can brush top with egg white for crustiness.)

We like the texture that letting it rest 10 minutes then stirring down gives it. We do it with our pizza dough also. Happy bread baking!