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One of our Good Cook Kitchen Experts Donna Currie has published a book, Make Ahead Bread: 100 Recipes for Bake-It-When-You-Want-It Yeast Breads that will be released soon. So we are celebrating everything about bread and Good Cook has two special offers for you!
Special Offers:
Do you need to order any cookware or bakeware? Use promo code: BakeBread at GoodCook.com to receive 25% off any purchase.
Plus if you pre-order Make Ahead Bread: 100 Recipes for Bake-It-When-You-Want-It Yeast Breads on Amazon you’ll receive a free Good Cook 9″ x 5″ loaf pan! (To receive your free pan, place your preorder on Amazon by February 28, 2014, then enter your order information at this link. You must fill out this form to receive your free pan by February 28, 2014. Pans will be delivered within 8 to 10 weeks.)
Quick & Easy French Bread:
The Good Cook challenge was to make a bread a recipe inspired by Donna Currie’s book. I have never made bread without the use of a bread machine before, but I gave it a whirl and it was yummy. It took about 2 hours to make fresh bread without any fancy equipment and my family loved it! I used several of my Good Cook products including my 3 piece mixing bowls and cookie sheet. I did not use a loaf pan to bake my bread. I also used my Good Cook Cooling Racks and Cutting board to help finish off my bread. I don’t know what I did before I had all of this stuff! It makes life easier.
- 2 TBS active dry yeast
- 2 Cups warm water
- 2 TSP salt
- 1 TSP sugar
- 4½ - 5 Cups bread flour
- 1 TSP Cornmeal
- Dissolve yeast in a large bowl of warm water.
- Add salt, sugar, and 2 cups of flour. Beat until smooth.
- Continue to stir in more flour until the dough is soft.
- Place onto a floured surface and knead until the dough is smooth and elastic.About 6-10 minutes.
- Place dough into a greased bowl, turning once to grease the entire ball.
- Cover and let rise in a warm place until dough doubles in size. About 1 hour.
- Punch dough down and return to floured surface.
- Divide in half and shape into 12 inch loaves.
- Place on greased baking sheet, seam side down. Cover and let rise another 30 minutes until doubled.
- Sprinkle tops with cornmeal and with a sharp knife make 4 shallow cuts across the top of each loaf.
- Bake at 450 for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.
Want more bread inspiration! Check these recipes from the Good Cook Blogger crew!
Amy Orvin says
I usually buy French bread at BI-LO to make sub sandwiches or French bread pizza but never thought to make my own. Wow! Love this recipe. Thank you.
Donna Currie says
That’s an awesome looking loaf of bread you have there! Love it! Thanks so much for helping to promote the book!
Milena Barrett says
Anytime! Good luck Donna!
Elena says
Looks delicious! I have not baked bread in months