Ingredients
- 1 cup warm water
- 1 package active dry yeast (2 1/4 tsps)
- 1 Tsp salt
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 2 1/2-3 cups flour (I used bread flour)
Preparation
Step 1
1. Mix water, yeast, salt and sugar in mixer bowl.
2. Add flour gradually until dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl and forms a ball. (2 1/2 cups did the job for me!)
3. Knead about 3 minutes in the mixer or 5 minutes by hand. Roll dough out into a rectangle, roll up and form a baguette or several smaller baguettes for sandwiches. Pinch ends. Slash top, if desired.
4. Place on a piece of parchment paper, cover and let rise for 20-30 minutes.
5. Bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes, then 325 degrees for 10 more minutes. (Spritz the oven with water if you want a crisp crust!)
You will never buy store-bought again!
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Variations:
For Pull-Aparts -
Roll walnut sizepieces of dough in garlic butter, then Parmesan cheese. Place a single layer into a greased loaf pan. Continue layering until pan is 3/4 full. Let rise 20-30 minutes. Bake at 400 degrees for 30-40 minutes or until done.
Pizza Dough -
Roll out flat, place on greased pizza pan or on parchment paper. Bake at 425 degrees for 10 minutes. Add toppings of your chopice, then return to oven for 10 more minutes, until topping are hot and bubbly and cheese is melted.
Calzone:
Roll into flat 8" circle. Fill with cheese and whatever ingredients you like, such as pepperoni, olives, spinach sauteed in olive oil and garlic, cooked Italian sausage. Fold in half and seal edges. Brush crust with garlic butter and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Serve with hot pizza sauce for dipping.
Pocket Sandwiches -
Follow calzone instructiuons but add sandwich fillings such as ham and cheese, etc.