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Here you go...
* Exported from MasterCook *
Crusty Country French Bread
Recipe By :
Serving Size : 12 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Baked Goods
Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1 envelope dry yeast -- organic possible
1/3 cup warm water -- 105-115 degrees
3 3/4 cups bread flour -- (7 1/2 to 8)
1/4 cup cornmeal -- coarse
2 teaspoons sugar
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 1/4 cups warm water -- 120-130 degrees
1/2 egg white -- for wash
Light grease a large bowl with olive oil-set aside
Stir yeast into water, sprinkle ½ teaspoon of sugar on top of mixture, let stand 5-7 minutes.
Combine with 7 cups of flour, salt and remaining sugar. Add water to mixture and stir till combined. Add remaining flour as needed and knead till smooth, about 8 minutes.
Put in bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with saran and a warm tea towel and set aside to rise in a draft free place doubled. Punch down and let rise again, giving the dough a quick kneading.
Punch down and break the dough off using your hands into 4 pieces. Shape into baguettes, tucking the sides and end down if needed. That way you will have a smooth top. Put the dough into oiled pans. Take a pair of kitchen scissors and give the dough a few good cuts on the diagonal across the top. Beat your egg white and brush the tops of the baguettes.
Cover with the saran and a warm wet tea towel and let set till it rises in the pan.
Bake in a preheated oven (425 degrees) and bake for 30 minutes. Reduce heat to 375 degrees and bake another 5-10 minutes or until the bread sounds hollow after giving it a good tap on the bottom of a loaf.
Remove from pans and cool on a wired rack.
Alternate version- you can make this dough in a food processer (with dough blade) or a large kitchen aid (with dough hook) as well. It is a lot of flour so making a mess is easy. Though by all means if you do not want to fool with kneading go ahead and use your kitchen machine.
Daphne
Keep your mind wide open.