I love making bread. Especially french bread. There is just nothing better than homemade bread.
French Bread
4 cups bread flour
3 tsp. kosher salt
2 tsp. active quick rising dry yeast
2 cups warm water (116 degrees)
About 3 hours total time
I put the flour in a glass bowl, add the salt and mix with my fingers. I make a bowl in the flour and put in the yeast. Then I add the warm water and let it sit for two minutes. Next by hand I mix the dough for several minutes until well mixed. Then I let the dough rest for three minutes and then I knead it by hand for 8 tiring minutes. And then I oil the bowl and cover with a damp kitchen towel for about 1 1/2 hours. Then, one of two things I use the whole portion and make a french loaf or I cut in half and make two baguettes. I flatten the dough by hand, then make two folds almost overlapping. Then I pinch it closed and place on greased pan and cover with same damp towel and rest for about 30 minutes. It is best cooked on a pan with holes or a pizza stone. Then I uncover the pan and place in an preheated oven of 425 degrees and cookes for 25 minutes. If you like your bread a little bit more crispier. Take a cast iron skillet and place a few pieces of ice and place just below bread pan the steam. Enjoy with little bit of butter!
French Bread
4 cups bread flour
3 tsp. kosher salt
2 tsp. active quick rising dry yeast
2 cups warm water (116 degrees)
About 3 hours total time
I put the flour in a glass bowl, add the salt and mix with my fingers. I make a bowl in the flour and put in the yeast. Then I add the warm water and let it sit for two minutes. Next by hand I mix the dough for several minutes until well mixed. Then I let the dough rest for three minutes and then I knead it by hand for 8 tiring minutes. And then I oil the bowl and cover with a damp kitchen towel for about 1 1/2 hours. Then, one of two things I use the whole portion and make a french loaf or I cut in half and make two baguettes. I flatten the dough by hand, then make two folds almost overlapping. Then I pinch it closed and place on greased pan and cover with same damp towel and rest for about 30 minutes. It is best cooked on a pan with holes or a pizza stone. Then I uncover the pan and place in an preheated oven of 425 degrees and cookes for 25 minutes. If you like your bread a little bit more crispier. Take a cast iron skillet and place a few pieces of ice and place just below bread pan the steam. Enjoy with little bit of butter!
