French Country Bread

By JanetLynn198

Ingredients

• 1/2 tsp active dry yeast
• 1 cup warm water
• 1 1/2 cups bread flour
• 2 tsp active dry yeast
• 2 cups warm water
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 3 cups bread flour
• 1 1/2 tbsp salt

Details

Servings 2

Preparation

Step 1

1. The night before, prepare starter by mixing in a medium glass bowl; 1/2 tsp yeast in 1 cup warm water. Add 1 1/2 cup bread flour and mix well. Cover and let sit overnight at room temperature.

2. The next day: In a large mixing bowl, dissolve 2 tsp yeast in the 2 cups warm water. Add the starter mixture, the whole wheat flour, 3 cups bread flour and the salt; stir until well combined. Add the remaining bread flour, 1/2 cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. When the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 mins. Lightly oil a large bowl, please the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.

3. Grease two 9x5" loaf pans. Deflate the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into 2 equal pieces and form into loaves. Place the loaves into the prepared pans. Cover the loaves with a damp cloth and let rise until doubled in volume, about 45 mins. Preheat the oven to 425F.

4. Bake in the preheated oven for about 30 mins or until the top is golden brown and the bottom of the loaf sounds hollow when tapped.