No "Knead" to Have a Machine...

When I started making bread a couple of years ago, I didn't have a bread machine or a stand mixer with a dough hook.  However, I was determined not to let that stop me.  The thought of making bread from scratch  fascinated me - from a few simple ingredients to a warm comforting loaf of bread.  There would be no need for a trip to the store nor would there be a need to frown at the rising cost of that pre-made tube of dough that I could toss into a preheated oven.  Plus, the smell of yeast and baking bread are incredible.

Baking bread does not require special equipment, and is done quite easily once you get the hang of it.  So today's post is how to make a French loaf which can be used in oodles of ways.  The simplest of course is to slice it with dinner and smoother it with butter.  Plus there is  the obvious French toast.

Other ways could be to slice it longways and use a hoagie style roll.  This is great for Italian beef sandwiches or sliced grilled chicken.  You can also use it to make french bread pizza.  At the end of the week when  you've all but used it up, it can be made into bread crumbs or croutons.


All you need is a few simple ingredients...

This is a doubled recipe and will make two loaves of bread.

  warm water...

{2 cups for a doubled recipe}

Next, add a hand mixer...

[You could do this part by hand too.]

After you've mixed for two to three minutes,

This is about all my hand mixer can handle before I have to start mixing in flour by hand to stiffen the dough.

Then,

You'll want to stir in additional flour by hand so that the dough is not runny when you begin to knead.

Now from this point it's easier to show and tell with video.

Once it's all rolled and ready to go, put it into a preheated oven at 400 degress.  I usually cook mine for 25 to 30 minutes.


Time to review:

• For two loaves, start with 2 cups of flour, 2 Tbsp of sugar, 5 1/2 tsp of yeast (two small packets), 2 tsp of salt, and 2 cups of warm water.
• Mix everything by hand or with a hand mixer until it resembles cake batter (3 min).
• Add additional flour 1/2 cup at a time until you get the consistency of cookie dough.
• Sprinkle flour onto clean surface/counter top and turn the dough out onto surface.
• Knead the dough by pushing down and away from you, fold top half back towards you, push down and away again, give it a quarter turn and repeat.
• Knead for three to five minutes (adding flour to surface as needed) until dough is not sticky.
• Place dough back into bowl and cover with warm towel.
• Let rise for one hour.
• Punch down dough and turn out onto floured surface.
• Roll out the dough to a quarter inch thick rectangle.
• Starting at one end, fold about an inch of dough over and continue until it is rolled to the other end.
• Bake in a 400 degree oven 25 - 30 minutes.
• Enjoy :)