Cookbook:French Bread

| French cuisine | Vegetarian cuisine | Bread

Procedure

 * 1) In a small bowl, soften yeast in warm water.
 * 2) Combine salt and lukewarm water in large bowl. Beat in 2 cups flour.
 * 3) Blend in yeast, and stir in enough flour to make stiff dough.
 * 4) Turn out dough on floured surface. Knead 10 to 15 minutes, working in last of flour (you may want to do this with a heavy duty electric mixer with dough hooks).
 * 5) Form into a ball and put in greased bowl, turning to grease top, then cover with a cloth.
 * 6) Let rise until doubled (a finger impression should stay), about an hour, depending on temperature.
 * 7) Punch down dough, turn out on floured surface, and divide in half.
 * 8) Cover dough and rest for 10 minutes.
 * 9) Shape each half of dough into a 5 x 12-inch rectangle.
 * 10) Roll up each portion tightly, starting on the long side, sealing as you roll, tapering if you like.
 * 11) Place each loaf diagonally, seam side down, on a greased baking sheet sprinkled with corn meal.
 * 12) Use a floured sharp knife or razor blade to make ¼-inch slashes diagonally in the tops of the loaves.
 * 13) Beat egg white until foamy, adding a tablespoon of water. Brush top and sides of loaves with egg mixture.
 * 14) Cover with damp cloth, not touching loaves (drape cloth over inverted glasses). Let loaves rise until doubled, 60–75 minutes.
 * 15) Turn on oven to preheat to 375°F.
 * 16) Bake until light brown, about 20 minutes.
 * 17) Brush loaves with egg mixture again. Bake another 15–20 minutes, or until done.
 * 18) Cool on wire racks.

Notes, tips, and variations

 * To get a rapid initial rise, use water about 130–135°F, pour into bowl with yeast mixed with initial flour and salt, and start mixing.
 * All rising should be in a warm place, like near the refrigerator.
 * A baking stone, ceramic brick, or even an iron skillet or griddle preheated in the oven (to place the baking sheet on) will give a good "spring" or quick rise when the loaves are first placed in the oven.
 * For even crispier crust, brush each time with plain water.