french bread

french bread fresh from the oven. perfectly crusty, doughy, and salty. i used the same recipe as last time, but i adjusted the time and temperature. it turned out perfectly! can't wait for the nerd to get home from work to taste it!

1 packet dry active yeast

1 tsp granulated sugar

1 1/2 c water (105-115 degrees)

4 1/2 c all purpose flour

2 1/2 tsp salt

in a large bowl, sprinkle yeast and sugar over water. set aside to allow yeast to activate, about 5 minutes.

in a medium bowl mix together 2 c flour and salt. set aside.

mix 2 c flour into bowl with water and yeast, 1 c at a time. mix in flour/salt mixture, a little but at a time, until a stiff dough is formed. 

turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and kneed, adding the last 1/2 c flour, for about 8 minutes. add extra flour, as needed, to keep dough from sticking to surface and hands.

set dough in a lightly oiled, deep bowl and cover with plastic. let rise until doubled in size, about 1 1/2 hours.

preheat oven to 375f.

uncover dough, and punch down. remove from bowl and form a long, slender loaf. place diagonally on a lightly oiled baking sheet and let rise for 30 minutes.

using a sharp knife, make 4-5 diagonal slits along the top. sprinkle with cold water. 

bake for 30 minutes.