Crusty french bread perfect as garlic bread, or as the base for dozens of other recipes such as focaccia.
Ingredients
2 Tbsp. yeast
⅓ cup water
2 Tbsp. oil
2 Tbsp. sugar
1 Tbsp. salt
1 cup boiling water
1 cup cold water
5-6 cups flour
Egg white, slightly beaten
Instructions
Dissolve yeast in ⅓ cup water. Place oil, sugar and salt in large bowl. Add boiling water. Add cold water.
Blend in yeast. Add flour gradually.
Mix well. Knead 5 min. Let rise; punch down; shape into two loaves.
Place on well-greased baking sheet.
Cut 3 diagonal cuts into top. Let rise. Brush with egg white.
Bake 10 min at 400 until crusty and brown. Reduce heat to 350 and bake 20-30 min.
To serve: Spread with garlic butter: Mix ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 tablespoon minced parsley, and ½ teaspoon paprika and spread over each slice. Wrap bread in foil and heat at 350 until butter is melted.
Recipe by Table for Fifty at https://tableforfifty.com/crusty-french-bread/