French Bread

I have never tried french bread before more cause I was really scared to make it. I have herd that it is very hard to make so I just bought it. After the last couple of day I will never buy it again. I have found an amazing and easy recipe.

4 c. flour

2 tsp yeast

2 tsp salt

1 1/2 c. warm water

In a mixing bowl you are going to put all the ingredients and mix it up. If you don't have a mixer then you can also mix it in a bowl and kneed it by hand. If you are using a mixing bowl then you are going to mix the dough for 3 min and then let it sit for 5 min and then mix it again for 3 more min. Take it out of the bowl and kneed it by hand on the counter top. I do this for about 2 to 3 min. Roll it into a big ball. Place it into a bowl that is greased. I know this sounds strange, but it works great. I spray pam in the bowl and then put the ball of dough in and then flip it over so that all sides have the spray on it. Put plastic wrap over the top of it and let it rise for an hour and 30 min. When it is done rising it should look like this.

Take it out of the bowl and kneed it one last time by hand. Cut the dough in half and leave half in the bowl while you shape the other half. Once you are done with this then put it on a cutting board to rise and shape the other half. Place a damp towel over the dough and let it rise for 30 min. (I tried rolling out one of the loafs and the other I didn't. I would not roll the dough out at all shape it by your hand and don't kneed it anymore. The flatter loaf is the one that is rolled out and it was less airy. I find it works better not rolling it out.) This is what it will look like.

While it is rising for the last time turn the oven on 450 and place the stone or cookie sheet in the oven to warm up. Before you put the bread in the oven take a pear knife and slice the top 3 or 4 times and then place the bread on it when it is done rising. Here is the trick when you place the bread in the oven to cook throw 1/2 c. of water on the bottom of your oven. I know this sounds weird, but the steam will really help the dough to cook more evenly. Cook the bread on 450 for 20 min.
This is what it will look like when it is done. You can cook the bread one at a time or together. I have cooked mine together and it has been great. One of the loafs went all weird on the side, but still taste great!