Hi Friends! I hope this finds you well.

Today I am making for you my own creation of Italian or French bread with a twist. It is flavored with Garlic while it bakes. Many are afraid to make their own bread, but this is a very easy recipe. Many bread recipes call for a double rising of the dough, but with the Rapid Rise you only need one. I try to make it at least once a week and my guys love it. If you don’t like the garlic flavor, WHAT??????, you can skip the garlic powder.

Here we go...

Ingredients:

5 1/2 cups All Purpose Flour

2 packets Rapid Rise Yeast

2 cups warm water

2 tsp Salt

1 tsp Garlic Powder

2 tbs Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1 egg white beaten with a tbs water

2 Tbs Corn Meal

Pam spray

In food processor, add flour, yeast, salt, garlic powder. Blend together. Add water.as you are pulsing Pulse a few times. Add Olive oil. Process until it becomes almost a ball. The dough will be a bit sticky.

Take half of the dough and place on a floured cutting board. Roll out to a rectangle. It doesn’t have to be a perfect rectangle.

Start at one of the long ends and roll. Place seam side down on a baking sheet that has been sprayed with Pam ans sprinkled with the cornmeal, ( I use a pizza stone but you can put on a cookie sheet if you don’t have a stone.

Repeat with the other half of the dough.

With a sharp knife, cut a slit about 1/4” deep lengthwise. Cover with a dish cloth or cloth napkin. Place in a 100 degree oven to proof for about 30 minutes or until loaves have risen to double in size.

Remove from oven.

Brush loaves with egg white mixture.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Place in preheated oven and bake for about 40 to 45 minutes. A good way to know if they are done is to pick them up with an oven mitt and tap the bottom with your nail. If they are hard and sound hollow they are ready.

Remove from oven and place in a cooling rack.

Though it is tempting to cut a piece of hot freshly baked bread and eat it now, let them cool off. They will cut better and make for a better texture.