Crusty Country Style French Bread

May 09, 2023May 9, 20230 1

Crusty and Delicious Country Style French Bread Recipe

by The Chefin Bread

Prep

20 min

Cook

30 min

Ready In

4 hours

Level

Difficult

Rating

Ingredients

	2 cups water ( warm 110 F or 43 C )
	1 teaspoon sugar
	3 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
	5 - 5 1/2 cups flour ( plus additional flour for dusting )
	2 1/2 teaspoons salt
	1 egg white , lightly beaten with a pinch of salt

Nutrision Information

Servings Per Recipe

12-16

Calories

165

Sugar

Fat

This crusty Country Style French Bread is a classic and easily recognizable bread enjoyed all over the world. It is a staple in France, served with butter, cheese and meats or sliced into crostinis or croutons. This bread requires patience and commitment, but the result is well worth the effort. It is perfectly paired with a savoury soup, a classic French Dip sandwich or simply spread with butter for a snack or breakfast. Experiment with adding fresh herbs or garlic to the dough for more intense flavours.

Instructions

1.	In a large bowl, mix together warm water, sugar and yeast. Set aside to activate for 5-10 minutes until frothy.
2.	Add flour and salt to the bowl and stir to combine, then knead until smooth and elastic.
3.	Grease a large bowl, place the dough in it and cover with a damp towel. Set aside in a warm place to rise for 1-2 hours.
4.	Preheat your oven to 425°F/220°C and place a baking stone or upside down baking sheet on the middle rack.
5.	Punch the dough down and transfer it to a floured surface. Shape the dough into a ball and let it rest for 20 minutes under a damp cloth.
6.	Gently stretch and fold the dough four times to create tension. Shape it into a long loaf and place it on a floured board before transferring to your preheated baking stone or tray.
7.	Brush the bread with a mixture of beaten egg white with pinch of salt and make 4-5 diagonal slashes on top.
8.	Bake the bread for 25-30 minutes. The crust should be golden brown and the loaf should make a hollow sound when tapped on the bottom.

PROS

This Country Style French Bread is slightly sour and has a deliciously crunchy crust perfect for sandwiches and dipping in soup.

Baking bread at home allows you to control the ingredients and avoid preservatives and additives.

CONS

This bread takes 3-4 hours to make and requires precision with measurements and techniques.

The bread should be consumed within a few days of baking as it does not have preservatives to keep it fresh for longer.

HEALTH & BENEFITS

This bread is low in fat and cholesterol free.
It is a good source of energy with carbohydrates that help fuel the body.
Whole wheat flour can be used in place of white flour to increase fiber, which aids digestion.