Homemade French Bread
Nothing beats homemade bread and ever since I got my beadmaker I'm constantly making it! This recipe is for homemade French bread.
Did you know that Napoleon Bonaparte after coming to power realized the revolution was mostly in part to due to the lack of bread! As the markets for grain and wheat rose quickly in price so did the price of flour to the point were only the rich could eat. Stomachs all over France rumbled louder and louder into a huge roar that could be heard across the land! Or so goes the rumor.
I'll make sure that never happens in my kitchen!
Staring Guide
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cooking Time: 2 hours
- Ready In: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Level: Beginner
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups warm water
- 1 tablespoon yeast
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 6 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon cornmeal
- 1 egg
Instructions
- In a bowl dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water. Let sit until it becomes foamy.
- Add salt, oil and 3 cups of flour. Mix till smooth and add remaining flour 1/2 cup at a time until dough pulls away from the bowl and doesn't stick to your fingers when tapped lightly
- Let dough rest for 10 minutes and then stir it down. Repeat four more times stirring the dough down between the rise intervals
- Line baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone an sprinkle with cornmeal. Split dough in half and shape each into a rectangle about 9 x 13 inches.
- From the long site roll dough into long cylinder shape. Place seam side down on baking sheet and repeat with others. Make three or four cuts on the top of each loaf using a knife and cover for 30 minutes letting it rise.
- Preheat oven to 375F.
- In bowl whisk egg and a splash of water brushing it over the surface of both loaves.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown. It should have a hollow sound when tapped.