French Bread

French bread turned out to be really easy to make from scratch, Kenneth was surprised when I told him I made it.

2 1/2 cups warm water

2 Tbsp. sugar

2 Tbsp. yeast

3 Tbsp oil

1 tsp salt + a pinch

5-6 cups of flour

Mix the first three ingredients and set aside for about 10 minutes until yeast mixture is frothy.  Add the next three ingredients --- adding the flour slowly.  You want the dough to still be tacky and just starting to pull away from the sides of the bowl as it's mixing.

Set dough in an oiled bowl and cover.  Let rise for ten minutes then punch the dough down.  Cover again, let rise for another ten minutes then punch dough.  Repeat process one more time (for a total of 3 punching sessions and 30 minutes rise time).  During last rising time preheat oven.

Shape into loaves on lightly greased baking sheet and place in oven.  Bake at 350 degrees for 22-25 minutes.  Brush with bugger to make a soft crust.

This makes two medium sized french bread loaves.  It can also be formed into a round loaf.