French bread … but WITH OUT all the additives 😉

Have you ever stoped either in the grocery store or once you are home and read the ingredient list ??? EWWWW was my first thought to ! Here’s a fun and simple recipe for one of my favorites ! You can say you know EXACTLY what you are eating . I recommend using a stand mixer with a dough hook but of course you can do this by hand as well !

French bread !

- [ ] Ingredients

- [ ] 2 ¼ cups warm water

- [ ] 2 tablespoons granulated sugar

- [ ] 1 tablespoon active dry yeast or one packet

- [ ] 2 ¼ teaspoons salt (I prefer to use mineral it has a richer flavor and is better for you !)

- [ ] 2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil

- [ ] 4-5 1/2 cups of bread flour ( we are going for a good “feel” here so ideally for the best rise you want your bread to be tacky but not be so sticky it leaves a residue on your fingers

- [ ] Recipe

- [ ] Mix together water , sugar , and yeast . Mix lightly in stand mixer or by hand until contents are combined (mix on low ) let sit for 5-10 minutes until yeast is activated . you’ll know this is done when it’s frothy or bubbly

- [ ] Once yeast is activated Add salt and oil - mix together

- [ ] Add three to four cups or flour . I typically start with three let contents combine then slowly add half a cup until dough is a tacky consistency . You should be able to handle dough with out it sticking and leaving a residue on your fingers .

- [ ] Next remove dough hook place clean kitchen rag over the top of dough and place in an OFF oven to allow to rise . Wait an hour or until dough has doubled in size .

- [ ] Remove dough from over once it’s doubled in size turn oven to 400 degrees F

- [ ] Deflate dough ! You can either do one large loaf or two smaller loafs . Flatten dough using fingers and palm , next form a triangle by gently tugging dough until shape is achieved . Then take corners and fold over 1/3 , press down crease with palm , fold other 1/3 over and repeat . You should have a skinny triangle that resembles a French loaf . Score bread (meaning make tiney cuts on the top to allow the loaf to breathe . This should be down with a very sharp nice or scorer .

- [ ] Allow bread to rise a second time , this can take anywhere from 30minutes to an hour .

- [ ] Once oven reach 400 degrees bump heat back down to 375 and cook loaf for 20-25 minutes .

- [ ] Loaf should be a beautiful drown with a gorgeous rise

- [ ] Wait until fully cooled , cut and enjoy !