NOLA 'Po Boy Bread

By RoketJSquerl

Blue Ribbon French Bread recipe from Bernard Clayton's "New Complete Book of Breads".

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 T Dry Yeast
• 2 Teaspoons Nonfat Dry Milk
• 1 Teaspoon Sugar
• 1 Teaspoon Salt
• 5 Cups Ap Flour (22.5 Oz - 639 Grams) (I plan to try swapping 1 Cup of cake flour next time)
• 2 Cups Hot Water (16 Oz.) (120-130 F)
• 1 Teaspoon Butter
• 1 Teaspoon Cold Water

Details

Servings 2

Preparation

Step 1

Mix together 2 Cups flour, yeast, dry milk, sugar and salt.
Pour in the hot water and butter, mix well (2 min with beater blade) then add remaining flour 1/2 cup at a time. Switch to hook near the end of flour.
Add additional flour if needed to get to a shaggy elastic but not sticky mass. I had to add an additional 1 Cup of AP flour approx.
Cover and rest for 10 minutes.
Knead on speed 2 for 10 minutes. Dough should clean sides of the bowl, adjust flour accordingly.
Turn out into a lightly oiled bowl with at least 2-1/2 times the capacity and cover. Let rise until doubled (1-1-1/4 hrs.
Punch down and turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead briefly to degas. Divide into 2 pieces, preshape into a loose rectangle and cover loosely, rest 10 minutes.
Press and roll into a 10X16 rectangle. Using fingers, roll up into a 10 inch jelly roll. seal the seam and ends.
Roll and stretch to longest dimension of your parchment (about16") and place on parchment lined sheet. Cover loosely with saran and proof for 45-60 minutes. The dough should double easily in 45 min.
Pe heat oven to 400F 20 minutes before bake time.
Brush dough with cold water, slash, steam oven and bake for 35 Minutes. Rotate half way through for even color. I lowered the temp after 20 mins. to control color. Clayton says to bake to a golden brown. For me that was just 35 Mins. Cool on a rack.

Clayton says this is a smooth creamy crusty bread. I would add it has a great flavor with complex after taste. I can't imagine this being much better. Honestly I didn't change a thing from Claytons suggestions and formula. It was perfect the first time. I plan to purchase the book to see what other great things he has to say.