French Bread

This weekend my wife and I made French bread. We used to make bread often, but recently we have been too busy or too tired. I forgot how easy it is. I also forgot how much better bread tastes when it is fresh.
My little sister gave us the recipe below. She learned how to make it in her high school cooking class. If you have an oven, I recommend making a loaf. This recipe makes a pretty big loaf. It will take two of us at least a week to finish it.

French Bread

2 1/4 cups water

6 1/2 cups flour

2 tbsp yeast

2 tsp salt

cornmeal

vegetable oil

cold water

1) Heat water to 120°F (48° C)

2) Combine 3 cups flour, yeast, salt.

3) Add warm liquid & mix for 3 minutes. Add remaining flour to form stiff dough.

4) Knead until smooth. (8 to 10 minutes)

5) Place dough in a grease bowl. Turn over once to grease. Cover and rise for 30 minutes.

6) Punch down. (Split dough to make smaller loaves if desired.) Flatten dough into 15 x 18 inch rectangle. From long side, roll up tightly, sealing edges and ends by pinching dough together.

7) Place seam side down diagonally on baking paper sprinkled with cornmeal (or flour).

8) Rise for 1 hour.

9) Cover with baking paper and place in oven until the loaf turns light brown on top (about 25 minutes).