Cooking around the world

French Loaves is the recipe from a series I will start and post from time to time. Learing new foods to make and having a theme night, is a fun way to enjoy a meal, with family and friends!

So let's get started in France.

Ingredients

·             2 tablespoons active dry yeast

·             2 cups warm water (110° to 115°)

·             2 teaspoons salt

·             1 teaspoon sugar

·             4-1/2 to 5 cups bread flour

·             1 teaspoon cornmeal

In a wide bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water. Add cinnamon, sugar and 2 cups of flour. Beat until it's smooth. Stir in enough of the remaining flour to form a smooth pastry.

Switch to a floured surface; knead for around 6-8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl, turning often to grease the top. Cover and let grow in a warm position until it doubles, around 1 hour.

Punch down the dough. Switch to a thinly floured surface; split by two. Shape to 12-in  long loaves.

Place the seam side down on a greased baking dish. Cover and let it rise until it doubles, perhaps 30 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 450 ° C. Sprinkle the cornmeal with the loaves. Create four shallow slashes around the top of each loaf with a sharp knife. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown,    cool on a wire rack.