Taste Test Thursday - French Bread

(I used the french bread recipe but for the top I mixed 1 egg, 1 T milk & 1 T. Epicure Pesto Seasoning)

Ingredients:

2 Tbsp sugar
2 Tbsp cooking oil
2 tsp salt
2 cups hot tap water
4 1/2 - 5 cups flour
2 Tbsp instant yeast

Mix in order given, mixing the yeast with a little flour and adding that while dough is still very soft. Add enough flour to make a dough that holds together in a ball shape and is not sticky if you handle it with floured hands. Cover.Let rise until double, about 1/2 hour. Divide in half.
Roll out to about 12x15” rectangle. Roll up jelly roll style and place on greased cookie sheet. Cut diagonal slits on top. Let rise about 30 - 45 min. Brush with mixture of 1 egg and 2 Tbsp milk, beaten with fork.Bake at 400F for 20 min, or until golden.

For Pizza:

Instead of rolling out the dough, just divide and press onto2 pizza pans. Bake at 400F until light golden - just done.About 12 minutes.Spread lightly with pizza or spaghetti sauce. Sprinkle withParmesan cheese. Cover with any cold cuts you want . . .ham, salami, pepperoni, cooked hamburger (left over sloppyjoe sauce) or cooked chicken, slivered peppers, grated cheese(mozzarella, or assortment). Sprinkle with oregano and basil.Bake at 375, about 15 min.

Focaccia bread:

Add about 1 Tbsp of each, thyme, oregano, rosemary1/4 cup Parmesan cheese and 1- 2 tsp garlic powderto the dough, as you're mixing it. Cover and let rise.Press dough into greased pan. Make indentations and brushwith olive oil. Sprinkle with Parmesan and rosemary (optional)Cover and rise 1/2 hour. Bake until light golden, time dependson size of pan.

Pizza Buns:

Roll out as for French bread. Spread lightly with pizza sauce, Cover with grated cheese, meat(chopped ham, salami or a few Tbsp of bacon bits), and pizza seasoning. Roll up jelly roll style(like you would for cinnamon buns). Cut into 1 inch slices.Place on greased or “parchment paper” lined cookie sheet.Cover with tea towl. Let rise about 30 minutes or until they look puffy.

Bake at 375F about 15 min.

Recipes from www.mennonitegirlscancook.blogspot.com