French Bread Recipe

Here is a classic French Bread. If you like a crispier crust, just brush the bread with additional egg whites during the baking cycle.

This is the perfect bread to take on a romantic picnic for two.

Serve it with cheese and fruit for a lighter meal or add your favorite picnic items.

Ingredients:

1 3/4 cups warm water (100° to 110°F)
 2 envelopes Fleischmann’s Active Dry Yeast
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 teaspoons salt
5 to 5 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
    cornmeal
1 egg white beaten with 1 tablespoon water

Instructions:

Place water in large, warm bowl.  Sprinkle in yeast; stir until dissolved.  Stir in oil, salt and enough flour to make a soft dough.  Knead on floured surface until smooth and elastic, about six to eight minutes.  Place in greased bowl, turning to grease top.  Cover; let rise in warm draft free place until doubled in size, about 30 to 45 minutes.

Punch dough down.  On floured surface, divide dough in half; roll to 15x10-inch ovals.  Roll up from long ends to make loaves.  Pinch seams and ends to seal; taper ends.

Place, seam sides down, on large greased baking sheet sprinkled with cornmeal.  Cover; let rise in warm draft free place until doubled in size, about 30 to 45 minutes.

Brush with egg white mixture.  With a sharp knife, make four or five diagonal cuts (1/4-inch deep), on top of each loaf.  Bake in a pre-heated 400°F oven for 25 minutes, or until done.  For crispier crusts, brush two more times with egg white mixture, after 15 and 20 minutes of baking time.  Remove from sheet and cool on wire rack. 

Serving: 1 Loaf

Source: Copyright © 2007 - ACH Food Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

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