French Bread Baking Tips

French bread is probably the most popular crusty bread. Its characteristics are a fairly dense, chewy center surrounded by a golden brown crispy crust. French bread dough may be shaped in a loaf, thin stick, or a roll. The flavor is usually rather bland and is best when eaten very fresh and hot. French bread serves as an excellent compliment choice for soups, salads, red meat and of course, all sorts of pasta dishes

Wash the tops of French bread with a mixture of one tablespoon salt and one cup water. Wash the first time before the bread rises. Bake French bread at 425 degrees for 15 minutes, wash with the salt water mixture again and turn the oven down to 375 degrees. Let bake for 10 minutes and wash with the salt water mixture again. Continue to bake until
done. This will give your French bread a very crispy and flavorful crust. Let raw, frozen French bread dough thaw before brushing with the salt water mixture. Slice French bread loaves, sticks or rolls and spread on a mixture of butter/garlic salt.
Cover with a dry paper towel and use your microwave for a soft bread. Grill in your oven's broiler, cut side up, for a crispy bread.

French bread that is dry or stale can still be used as delicious croutons. Slice the loaf thin, spread with butter, butter/garlic salt, or butter/Parmesan cheese, then toast in your oven's broiler until very crisp.