French Bread

So I'm not gonna share a cookie recipe today. This is one of our all time favorite bread recipes. For bread lovers like us, I'm sure that this is just as detrimental as a cookie recipe though. :) The recipe is a little tedious, I'll admit it. A kitchen time is absolutely key to keeping track of it. While the recipe calls for white flour, our favorite way to make it is with half whole wheat flour and half white flour. If you are making it half and half, add the wheat flour first and let sit for about 20 minutes to give the gluten a chance to work properly. Then add the white flour and begin timing the 10 minute punch down increments. I also wait until I add the white flour to add the salt just to give my yeast a better chance. :)

1 1/2 Tablespoons granulated yeast (or two packets of yeast)
1 Tablespoon salt
3 Tablespoons sugar
6 cups flour
1/2 cup oil (I use olive oil)
2 1/2 cups hot water

Mix water, oil, yeast, and sugar. Add half the flour and mix well. Add the remaining flour and the salt, mixing well. Let rise for one hour - punching down every ten minutes. Shape into two long loaves and place on cookie sheet . Bake at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

We like to shape ours and put into greased loaf pans and let rise before baking for a fluffier bread. It really is a matter of preference. :) Oh and this bread makes THE best grilled cheese sandwiches!