French Bread

By kdet

Ingredients

• Combine and let foam:
• makes 2 loaves
• 2 packets of yeast
• 2 cups warm water
• 1 tsp sugar
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 Tbsp flour

Preparation

Step 1

Add 2 cups of bread flour. Mix. Continue to add 1/2 cups of flour until the dough comes together...
Knead on counter until until it is elastic-y and smooth. Place dough in an oiled bowl and cover. Let rise until double in size. About 30 minutes.
Punch down and shape into loaves. Place on greased and cornmeal dusted sheets. Let rise again.
Brush with water and salt. Preheat oven to 400* F. And here is a little trick I learned: Put a loaf pan (or two tiny dishes like me) full of warm water on the bottom rack when baking bread. Apparently the steam helps make an awesome crust.
Bake for 20 minutes (and then I like to slide the loaves off the sheet, and bake directly on the rack for another 5-10 minutes. Just so they get some pretty golden color).