Making Three Loaves of French Bread For Dinner

Being indoors for almost two weeks with a cold inspired me to make some bread. When I looked up some recipes, I noticed french bread. Why not try it for the first time! I love to cook and haven't done so for most of my recuperation time.

I began getting the ingredients together and was surprised at the simplicity of baking this favorite bread of ours. I have made tortillas for many years and it is far more laborous to make tortillas. Rolling out each individually is a bit more tiring...baking the bread was rather simple!

Lay the dough across a cookie sheet and let it rise.  Place on top rack of oven. Then...place another cookie sheet on bottom of oven filled with boiling water. Brush on a little water over the loaves before placing in oven.

Somehow this is to have a nice  crust on the loaves. See the placements of sheet pans!

The final result was a nice brown crust.......and delicious tasting bread. It would have been nice to have made twice as much as it didn't last long! Maybe next time! The RECIPE is shown below!

2 1/2 cups hot water

2 tablespoons shortening

2 teaspoons salt

2 tablespoons sugar

2 tablespoons instant yeast

6 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Read more: http://www.food.com/recipe/french-bread-56467#ixzz1cijqkhhJ

 

Directions:

1. 1
   Place hot water in large bowl.
2. 2
   Add the shortening, salt and sugar.
3. 3
   Stir and let stand until lukewarm.
4. 4
   Sprinkle yeast over all.
5. 5
   Beat until smooth.
6. 6
   Add 3 cups flour and beat until mixed.
7. 7
   Work in 2 cups flour with a wooden spoon.
8. 8
   Gradually knead the last 1-1/2 cups flour in until no longer sticky-about 3 minutes.
9. 9
   Cover and let rise for 30 minutes.
10. 10
    Punch down and place on floured board.
11. 11
    Roll out to a rectangle.
12. 12
    Cut lengthwise in half.
13. 13
    With each strip, roll up lengthwise and pinch seams.
14. 14
    Roll gently back and forth with hands to desired length and to smooth loaf out.
15. 15
    Lightly grease cookie sheet or use French loaf bread pans.
16. 16
    Cover and let rise for 25 minutes.
17. 17
    Cut diagonal slashes across bread about 1/4" deep.
18. 18
    Preheat oven, pour boiling water on large cookie sheet to fill.
19. 19
    Place cookie sheet on bottom rack in oven.
20. 20
    Brush loaves with warm water and place bread on higher rack in oven above water.
21. 21
    Bake at 350°F for 30-35 minutes.

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Read more: http://www.food.com/recipe/french-bread-56467#ixzz1cik7MF5Z