French Bread

I found this recipe online, and I love it!  It's easy, smells divine, soft, and super yummy.  And there's so many things you can do with a loaf of French Bread.

 

 

1 C warm water (110 - 112 degrees F)

1 C warm milk (110 - 112 degrees F)

1 Tbl. + 1/2 tsp. yeast

3 Tbl. + 1 tsp. sugar

1 Tbl. kosher salt

5 Tbl. vegetable or canola oil

5 1/2 C unbleached flour

 

Combine the yeast, sugar, salt, water and milk.  Add in the oil, and start adding in the flour.  Using a heavy duty stand mixer with a dough hook, mix until you get the desired consistence (it should be slightly sticky).  Place the dough in a bowl with a lid or plastic wrap over it.  Let rise for about an hour, or until doubled in size.  Separate the dough into 2 equal pieces.  On a lightly floured surface, roll one of the pieces out with your hands like a snake.  Place the shaped dough on a cookie sheet that has been generously dusted with corn meal.  Do the same with the second piece.  (If you want, you can brush loaves with egg whites to make it shiny.)  Cut 3 diagonal slashes in the dough.  Let the bread rise again for about 30 min.  Preheat oven to 375 F, and bake for about 30 min.  Makes two loaves.  Enjoy!

 

before baking

 

done

garlic bread

(Recipe and photo courtesy of Pirijo Silver.)