French Bread

Happy Sunday friends!

Before it gets too warm, I want to share great recipe for French Bread! This was one of the first recipes that my mentor Mrs. Denise taught me how to make! It is fabulous, and I love to serve this bread with soups, salads, or as a side with a meat & potatoes style dish.

French Bread

From the Kitchen of: Denise Cunningham

Oven Temp: 450

Time: 1 hour prep // 15-20 mins Baking

Serves: 2 loaves

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp. active dry yeast (or) yeast packet

• 2 c. warm water (110-115 degrees)

• 2 tsp salt

• 1 tsp sugar

• 1 tsp cornmeal

• 4.5 - 5 c. bread flour

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water (use thermometer).

2. Add salt, sugar, & 2 c. flour. Beat until smoothe. Stir in enough remaining flour to form soft dough.

3. Turn onto floured surface and knead until smooth & elastic. 6-8 mins. (*If you have a stand mixer, can use that to knead the dough).

4. Place in a greased bowl (approx. 1 tbsp olive or canola) & turn once to grease top of dough

5. Cover & let rise in a warm place until doubled... about 1 hr. (cover with cling wrap down on dough & a light towel on top to keep out draft.)

6. Punch dough down. Turn out onto lightly floured surface; divide in half. Shapw into (2) 12-inch long loaves.

7. Place seam sidedown on greased baking sheet. Cover & let rise until doubled. About 30 mins.

8. Sprinkle with cornmeal. With sharp knife or kitchen shears, make (4) shallow slashes across top of each loaf.

9. Bake at 450 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown

10. Serve with jam (or) Italian spices & olive oil.

Optional: Brush with melted garlic butter & sprinkle with seasonings before serving.

Bread Dipping Sauce

We have a lovely authentic Italian recipe in our area that has the best dipping sauce for their bread. I asked how they made it and this is what they told me...

Combine even parts of the following spices in a small bowl or dish:

• Red Pepper

• Black Pepper

• Garlic Salt

• Parmesan Cheese

• Parsley Flakes

Then add equal parts bleded oil & olive oil to the dish.

Mix, then serve.

Dip your bread and enjoy!

Have a blessed week,

Kimberly