How to make french bread
French bread is one of the most consumed in Brazil and there is nothing like a warm and crunchy bread to start the day. Here, you'll learn how to make your own French bread at home, following simple steps and using ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.
Ingredients:
For the preparation of French bread you will need the following ingredients:
- 1 kg of wheat flour
- 2 tablespoons of sugar
- 1 tablespoon of salt
- 1 tablespoon of margarine
- 1 tablespoon of oil
- 1 tablespoon dry biological yeast
- 600 ml of warm water
Preparation:
To start, put the wheat flour in a large bowl and make a hole in the middle. In the hole, add the sugar, salt, margarine, oil and yeast. Mix these ingredients into the well, without mixing with the flour yet.
Then start adding the warm water little by little, mixing it with the ingredients in the hole and gradually incorporating the flour. Continue to add the water and mix until all the ingredients are well incorporated and the dough is smooth.
Now, it's time to knead the dough. Transfer it to a flat surface and knead for about 15 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour. If it's too dry, add a little more water.
After kneading the dough, place it back in the bowl, cover with a cloth and let it rest for about 1 hour, or until the dough has doubled in size.
After resting, divide the dough into pieces the size you want your breads to be. Shape each piece into French bread and place on a greased baking sheet. Let the buns rest for another 20 minutes.
While the buns are resting, preheat the oven to 180°C. Before placing the loaves in the oven, make diagonal cuts on the surface of each loaf with a sharp knife. This will help the loaves rise evenly and give them that characteristic French bread look.
Bake the buns for about 30 minutes, or until golden and crispy. Let them cool down a bit before serving.
Tips:
For an even tastier bread, you can add extra ingredients to the dough, such as dried herbs, grated cheese or seeds. Also, for a crispier bread, you can spray some water on the loaves before putting them in the oven.
I hope you enjoy this recipe and have fun making your own French bread at home. Bon appetit!
