French Bread

Here's a recipe for delicious French Bread. We enjoyed this last night, still warm from the oven. Yum!

FRENCH BREAD

• 2 cups warm water
• 5-6 cups AP flour
• 2 tsp dry active yeast
• 1 1/2 tsp white sugar
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 1/2 tsp salt

1. In the bowl of your stand mixer (or other large bowl), mix 1 cup warm water, 1 cup flour, 1 tsp yeast, and 1/2 tsp sugar. Cover and leave on counter overnight (or at least a few hours, anyway).
2. Remove cover from bowl, add remaining water, yeast and sugar, as well as 2 more cups of flour, oil and salt. Using dough hook (or wooden spoon) begin to stir together and knead. Once everything is combined, continue to add more flour and knead, until dough is smooth and elastic. I used about 5 1/2 cups and kneaded for 8 minutes.
3. Form dough into a ball and lightly oil. Place in a warm area and allow to rise until at least double (about 1 hour, 2 won't hurt!). I like to rise/proof in microwave. To do this, warm up a cup of water for 2 minutes. Open door quickly and place bowl with dough into microwave, leaving cup in there, too. Close door and leave for 1-2 hours.
4. After dough has doubled, gently "pour" out of bowl onto greased and floured countertop. Form into 2 elongated loaves. Place loaves of lightly greased french bread pan, or regular cookie sheet. Cut 3-4 diagonal slits on top of each loaf. Lightly spray each loaf with a little bit of olive oil. Cover and let rise in a warm area for 30-45 minutes. Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees while dough is rising. I like to place the pan (with the dough) on the middle of stovetop, allowing the heat from the warming oven to help rise the dough.
5. Bake loaves in warm oven for 30-35 minutes. Remove and allow to cool slightly before slicing. I prefer my crust to be a little softer, so always brush my loaves with a little butter immediately after removing from oven.
ENJOY!