Does anyone have a really good recipe for French bread (details)?

Question

I'm looking for "tried and true" recipes, so please don't point me to a recipe at a website unless you've actually made it and it's good. Thanks! :)

Answer 1

Classic French Bread:

Ingredients
3 cups French style flour
1 cup Spring water plus 1/4 cup extra
2 teaspoons Yeast
1.5 teaspoons Salt
Preparation

Bread Machine:

Dump the ingredients into the bowl according to your bread machine manufacturer's instructions. Set the bread machine to the dough cycle.

After several minutes, check the dough. If it's too stiff, add up to 1/4 cup more water. The dough should be somewhat sticky and will firm up after the first rise. After the dough cycle is through, remove dough, knead a few times on a greased surface. Place in a greased bowl for a second rise - about 1.5 hours or until doubled in bulk. After the second rise, remove dough to a greased surface and divide into either 2 pieces for batards or 3 pieces for baguettes. Form each loaf according to your preference and place in greased batard or baguette pans. Let rise a third time until puffy, about 1 hour. In the meantime, preheat your oven to 450 degrees F.

Right before placing loaves into the oven, mist oven with water, close door, wait a few moments, open door, place loaves into oven, mist oven again.

Mist 3 minutes later and again 3 minutes later. Let continue to bake until deep golden brown or according to your preference. Roughly 20-25 minutes for baguettes and 30 minutes for batards.

***It came out really good hope you try it and like it as well***

Answer 2

I've tried this, and it tastes really nice. The yeast makes it fluffy!

Ingredients
1 1/4 cups Water (70-80 degrees)
2 tsp Sugar
1 tsp Salt
3 1/2 cups Bread flour
1 1/2 tsp Active dry yeast
1 tbsp Cornmeal
Glaze:
1 Egg
1 tbsp Water
2 tsp Sesame seeds, toasted, optional

Preparation
In bread machine pan, place the first five ingredients in the order suggested by the manufacturer. Select dough setting (check dough after 5 minutes of mixing; add 1-2 Tbsp of water or flour if needed).


When cycle is completed, turn dough onto a lightly floured surface. Divide in half. Roll each portion into a 10x8 inch rectangle. Roll up jelly-roll style, starting with a long side; pinch seams to seal.


Sprinkle a greased baking sheet with cornmeal; place loaves seam side down on prepared pan. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 20 minutes.


Whisk egg and water; brush over loaves. With a sharp knife, make four shallow slashes across the top of each loaf. Sprinkle with sesame seeds if desired. Bake at 375 for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on wire racks.