The Ultimate French Bread

Headline: BREAD MACHINE RESCUES MEAL FROM BOREDOM! Never again will you purchase French bread from the store. Impress your friends and neighbors with a warm loaf, laugh delightedly when the compliments start rolling in. COOKING TIME includes rising time, too.

• Ready In: 1 hr 15 mins
• Serves: 10-12
• Yields: 1 long loaf

Ingredients

• 1 1⁄4 cups warm water
• 1  tablespoon sugar
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 3 1⁄2 cups bread flour
• 1  tablespoon  yeast

• CRUNCHY CRUST GLAZE

• 2  tablespoons water
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt

• SOFT CRUST GLAZE

• 1  egg
•  water, beaten

• SILKY CRUST GLAZE

• 1  egg
•  milk, beaten

Directions

1. Add to bread machine according to owner's manual (my machine does liquids first); program for DOUGH or MANUAL.
2. At the end of the cycle, place on lightly floured surface, rolling into a large rectangle; start at the longest end and roll up tightly, pressing seams and tapering each end, tucking under.
3. Place loaf on a greased baking sheet or stone; cover and let rise for one hour until doubled.
4. Near end of rising time, preheat oven to 400 degrees.
5. Mix glaze ingredients in a small bowl; brush over loaf generously; snip three diagonal slashes over the top (optional).
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes, top will be golden brown.
7. VARIATIONS: After rolling dough into a rectangle, (1) sprinkle with grated cheese [cheddar is delicious], or (2) generously brush with melted butter & sprinkle some aromatic herbs, or (3) spoon leftover marinara sauce close to the edges, -- then roll up tightly and pinch edges; continue as described in Step #3.
8. VARIATION #2: Mince one small onion (about 1/4 cup) and add to wet ingredients.
9. CREATIVE SUGGESTION: Shape into a round loaf instead of the usual long loaf.
10. BABY FRENCH BREAD LOAFLETS: Divide dough ball into 12 balls, tapering to make mini-loaves; bake 15-20 minutes--watch carefully!
11. FRENCH TWIST: Divide dough into 3 pieces, rolled into 14-16" ropes. Lay them on pan and braid in usual fashion, tuck ends under, stretch out a bit if need be; brush with 2 T. melted butter; cover & rise for about 30 minutes; brush with glaze, bake 20-25 minutes--watch carefully.