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 (preferred) - REQUIRED or bread structure will not be there!!! Coat in 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. Remove and rest for a few minutes then serve hot or let cool.

Pairs with: Broccoli Cheddar Soup