Best 2 French White Bread Recipes

STEAMED MUSSELS WITH WHITE WINE, TARRAGON, SHALLOTS, BUTTER, AND GRILLED FRENCH BREAD

Steps:

• Heat grill to high. Sprinkle garlic with a pinch of salt and, with the flat side of a large knife, mash and smear the garlic to a coarse paste. Heat the oil in a stockpot on the grates of the grill, add the shallots and garlic and cook until shallots soften. Add the wine, bring to a boil and stir in the mussels. Cover the pot and cook the mussels until all of them have opened, about 6 to 8 minutes, discard any that do not open.
• Remove the mussels with a slotted spoon to a large bowl. Bring the cooking liquid to a simmer and whisk in the butter. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and stir in the tarragon. Pour the mixture over the mussels and serve immediately with grilled bread.
• Brush cut side of baguette with oil, season with salt and pepper and grill, cut side down until lightly golden brown.

FRENCH WHITE BREAD

Steps:

• Insert the dough hook into your mixer.
• In large mxing bowl, dissolve the yeast in 3/4 cup warm water.
• Add the starter, salt, sugar and 1 1/2 cups flour.
• Mix on medium until smooth and flour is incorporated, about 1 1/2 minutes.
• Cover and let rise for 60 to 90 minutes or until double in bulk.
• On low speed of mixer, slowly add remaining flour and baking soda.
• Knead dough for 5 to 7 minutes with dough hook.
• The dough should have a satin texture and form a ball, cleaning sides of the bowl.
• Shape the dough into a ball and let rest on a floured board for 10 minutes.
• Form into a French loaf, place on greased cookie sheet that has been lightly dusted with cornmeal.
• Make 3 to 5 diagonal slashes on top of loaf with sharp knife or scissors.
• Cover and let rise 90 minutes.
• Bake at 375 degrees for 50 minutes.
• When baked the loaf will be nicely brown and sound hollow when tapped with knuckles.