FRENCH BREAD

Eat hot, the next day, or even modify for a bread bowl!

Time: 2hr-55min

Ingredients:

• 1 cup warm water (Step1)

• 1/2 TBSN sugar (Step1)

• 1 packet dry active Yeast (Step1)

• 2 to 3 cups of flour (Step2)

• 1/2 TBSN salt (Step3)

Step 1: Mix yeast

Combine sugar and warm water (Not hot! Yeast is sensitive!). Stir until dissolved. Pour yeast pack evenly across top, no need to stir. Set in a warm place for 15min (ie: In a microwave with the stove light on or on top of a warm oven).

Makes: One loaf

Step 2: Make the dough

Pour the now foamy yeast mixture into large bowl. Add flour until becomes a good sticky dough, not wet enough to run when on flat surface, not dry and tough. Think pizza dough. Knead for 5-10min - REQUIRED or bread structure will not be there!!! Coat with a drizzle of olive oil, place in bowl, cover with warm damp cloth. Rest for 1hr. Should be 2-3x larger thereafter.

Step 3: Dough part 2

Add the salt and knead for another 5-10min. Form into the general shape of French bread loaf. Place on your baking sheet with a little non-stick spray. Use knife to create small slits in top - these will become the classic top of french bread once baked. Cover bread with warm damp cloth. Rest for 1hr.

Step 4: Ready, Set, Bake!

Bring small pot of water to a boil on stove, pour so about 1" deep in a cake pan. Place pan on bottom rack of oven carefully. Heat oven to 500deg(F). Once preheated brush bread with cold water and place on middle rack in oven. CAREFUL! - Steam will be released from oven when opened! Bake for 10min. Then turn temperature down to 400deg(F) and continue baking for another 10min. Do not open stove during baking process. Remove and rest for a few minutes then serve hot or let cool.

Pairs with: Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Step 3: Dough part 2

Add the salt and knead for another 5-10min. Form into the general shape of French bread loaf. Place on your baking sheet with a little non-stick spray. Use knife to create small slits in top - these will become the classic top of french bread once baked. Cover bread with warm damp cloth. Rest for 1hr.