French Bread

Ingredients

• 1 1/3 cups warm water
• 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
• 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 1/2 cups white flour
• olive oil or cooking spray

Directions

1. Combine warm water (100f-110f)and yeast in a mixing bowl or stand mixer bowl fitted with the dough hook. Allow 5 minutes until the yeast surfaces
2. Add flour and salt. Reserve 1/2 cup of flour to assist mixing. Stir ingredients togeather or use mixer on slowest setting until a shaggy dough forms
3. Mix and knead dough with your hands or stand mixer on low speed about 5 minutes until it becomes stretchy and pliable. during mixing sprinkle tiny amounts of the reserved flour to prevent sticking
4. transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and shape into a tight round form tucking the side under to form a seam on the bottom
5. Perform 1st proof by placing the dough in an oil-coated mixing bowl seam side down. Cover with towl and allow to double in size
6. Deflate the dough (punch it down) to remoce air bubbles
7. Perform 2nd proof by shaping dough into a tight round and repeat the last step
8. Preheat oven to 450
9. devide dough into 2 or 3. press each piece into a loose rectangle. fold and press dough into itself until it becomes tight while forming it into the final shape
10. Preform final proof by resting forms in a warm spot until nearly doudled in size
11. Bake for 20-25 minutes rotating halfway through as needed for even browning