French Bread

This is a delicious and frugal alternative to store bought French bread! You can even make it with whole wheat! We brought it to a friend’s house for dinner last night and it received unending rave reviews!

Original recipe from More with Less, but I made it more healthy.

Makes 2 loaves

Dissolve and let active for 5-10 min:

5 Tbls. active dry yeast
1/2 cup warm water
1/2 Tbls. honey

Combine together with:

2 Tbls. honey
2 Tbls. olive oil/coconut oil
2 tsp. salt
2 cup hot water

Stir in:

7 1/2- 8 cups flour (I used 3/4 part of whole wheat and 1/4 part white flour) - less is more on quantity!

Knead dough for 10 minutes, or until smooth and elastic. Place in greased bowl, turning once. Let rise until doubled (I like to put mine, covered with a towel inside a slightly warm oven, works wonders!). Punch down and let rest 15 min (Opps..I skipped the resting!). Divide dough in half. On floured surface, roll each halfinto a 12×15” rectangle. Roll up, starting from the 15” edge. Place loaves on a greased cookie sheet and make 4-5 slashes diagonally across tops. Let rise until double.

Mix and brush on:

1 egg, beaten or melted butter

Sprinkle on, if desired:

poppy or sesame seeds

Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.