Julia Child's Pain Francais (French Bread)

Julia Child’s Pain Français (French Bread)

Ingredients:

2 1/4 teaspoons (1 packet) instant yeast
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/4 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 cups warm water (120º – 130º)

Directions:

In the mixing bowl of a stand mixer using the flat beater, combine the yeast, 2 1/2 cups flour and salt. Mix on low for about 30 seconds.

With the motor running on low, pour in the warm water. Continue mixing until a shaggy dough forms. Clean off beater and switch to the dough hook. Mix in the remaining cup of flour a little at a time, to make a soft dough, adding more or less flour as needed. Knead the dough for 5 minutes. The surface should be smooth and the dough will be soft and somewhat sticky.

Turn the dough onto a kneading surface and let rest for 2 – 3 minutes while you wash and dry the bowl.

Return the dough to the mixing bowl and let it rise at room temperature (about 75º) until 3 1/2 times its original volume. This will probably take about 3 hours.

Deflate the dough and return it to the bowl. Let the dough rise at room temperature until not quite tripled in volume, about 1 1/2 – 2 hours.

Meanwhile, prepare the rising surface: rub flour into canvas or linen towel placed on a baking sheet. (I used parchment paper.)

Divide the dough into 3, 6, or 12 pieces depending on the size loaves you wish to make. Fold each piece of dough in two, cover loosely, and let the pieces relax for 5 minutes.

Shape the loaves and place them on the prepared towel or parchment. Cover the loaves loosely and let them rise at room temperature until almost triple in volume, about 1 1/2 – 2 1/2 hours.

Preheat oven to 450º. Set up a “simulated baker’s oven” by placing a baking stone on the center rack, with a metal broiler pan on the rack beneath, at least 4 inches away from the baking stone to prevent the stone from cracking.

Transfer the risen loaves onto a peel.

Slash the loaves.

Spray the loaves with water. Slide the loaves into the oven onto the preheated stone and add a cup of hot water to the broiler tray.

Bake for about 25 minutes until golden brown. (If you used parchment paper you will want to remove it after about 10-15 minutes to crisp up the bottom crust. Spray the loaves with water three times at 3-minute intervals.

Cool for 2 – 3 hours before cutting.

Healthy Choices

I found this on pinterest this morning, and for those of us that try to eat as healthy as possible this is a good tool for future recipes. While it only explains just a few combinations it's still very helpful :)

Make your own buttermilk

Do you ever find yourself in the middle of your latest culinary creation and suddenly find out you are missing a key ingredient? This happens to me a lot and I'm always so mad at myself at that point I just don't want to go to the store! This just recently happened while I was in the process of making a Texas Sheet Cake, I didn't have buttermilk of all things. So my grandmother told me one of her tricks (she never buys buttermilk by the way) Her tip was 1 part whole milk to 1/2 parts vinegar, wait about 2 minutes and you have the perfect buttermilk. Needless to say I tried her little trick and it worked just like spending 4$ in the store for buttermilk and I don't have an entire cartoon left to spoil in my fridge!!!

Mango Salsa and Chips

Mango Salsa and Chips

I find this to be a great snack! Since we are all trying to be a little more cautious about our calories and the things we eat this is definitely friendly to the body.

Homemade Chips

       4 whole grain or sprouted grain tortillas (I like Ezekiel brand)

       Olive oil cooking spray

       ½ teaspoon ground cumin

Salsa

       1 medium red onion, diced

       1 Mango, peeled, pitted, diced

       1 jalapeno, diced fine (remove seeds and ribs if you’d like less heat)

       1 small cucumber, peeled, seeded and diced

       ½ large red bell pepper, seeded and diced

       ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro

       1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

       Juice of one lime

       ½ teaspoon ground cumin

       Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

.   Preheat oven to 400°.

.   Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut each tortilla into 8 chip-shaped triangles. Place tortilla pieces in one layer on a baking sheet. You may have to use two baking sheets or work in batches.

.   Spray the tops of the tortilla pieces with cooking spray and then sprinkle with cumin. Bake for 7-10 minutes or until chips are crunchy and browned.

.   For the salsa, combine mango, onion, jalapeno, cucumber, bell pepper and cilantro in a large bowl and stir.

.   In a smaller bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, cumin, salt and pepper. Pour dressing over salsa and stir to coat.

.   Let rest in fridge for at least an hour for the flavors to blend. Serve with chips.

Shopping Reminder

This is a pretty good list for those of us that may be on a budget and can't buy 100% organic all the time. My suggestion is to not rely so much on that organic seal, as it requires a lot to become certified organic. If you have a farmer's market or fruit and vegetable stand in your neighborhood pay them a visit. Odds are if you talk to the supplier or farmer you will find that they grow organic. Your body and your wallet will be pleased!