Baking bread from scratch always makes me stop and really appreciate baking. This French Bread, a classic recipe from Julia Child, is like being in a sometimes difficult, but always rewarding, 9 hour relationship. You have to figure out what this bread needs from you, and the bread might not tell you in a language you understand. Is it too sticky? Does it need more flour? Is it too dry? Does it need more water? Does it need time alone? Should you break up? What it comes down to is feel, intuition, and love. Yes, you must put yourself out there and love your bread. Put it all on the line, and dedicate yourself to a loaf. It might sound silly, but it’s critical. French bread is made up of 4 ingredients- flour, salt, water and yeast. None of these ingredients are a taste treat on their own. They come together, into what I think is one of the most fundamental and simple pleasures. I think what makes these 4 ingredients join so beautifully is the secret 5th ingredient. Yes- it’s love.
This French Bread was the February selection for Daring Bakers. Thank you Sara and Breakchick Mary! This recipe certainly put the Daring in Daring Bakers. It’s a 9 hour commitment, and not for the faint of heart. But the product is a light, flavorful, soft and crusty French Bread. And the whole house smells like fresh baked bread, which is just priceless. If you’re afraid of commitment, or don’t know how to fall in love, this multi pages recipe and bread making experience just might teach you a thing or two. And that’s no joke.
Would you like the recipe? Well here it is!
French Bread with homegrown avocado slices and sea salt.
Deborah
I can tell you are a bread pro! And and slice with avocado sounds divine!
CB
Oh now you are talking my taste. Bread and avocado. Yummy! Great job!
-Clara
Meeta
Joy this looks lovely. Love the rich color.
Nikki
I think your write up said it perfectly and you made me feel all sentimental about bread. Good job :P
Your bread looks great!
Jerry
Looks so lovely! Can I have some of yours?
Big Boys Oven
looks so beautiful, you did so well, mine was a bit burn.
Beth G
WOW- your bread (and photos) came out absolutely STUNNING!!! I love the pic with avocado slices, I could eat that right this minute!!!
megan
I knew something was missing from loaves.
The love. I just wasn’t feeling it.
Pixie
Your bread looks absolutely delicious!
lynette
in addition to being afraid of whipped egg whites… i also hv a phobia of yeast!!the only difference is that i an now work with the whites… i still keep the door shut on the yeast…
yur bread looks gorgeous!! i hope one day be able to knead such a work of art!!
laurie
Beautiful bread Joy! And I love the post. Its so true. My bread needed more of me, and I could not commit. In the end, it was me who let down my bread, not the other way around. DAMN YOU BREAD!
Lucy V
Joy, this bread looks amazing! I also love the way your blog looks. I am very happy to have discovered you through the Daring Bakers.
Warda
I love the crumb of your bread. It turned out so light. This challenge was indeed about love and commitment.
You have a wonderful blog. I don’t why I have never seen it before.
Stephanie
Hmmmm…I can be a bit of a commitment-phobe, so maybe this recipe is just what I need. So I have made a date with my flour for next weekend. I’ll let you know the results on my blog!
Deeba
WOW Joy…what a pretty loaf & a wonderful write-up. You’re spot on with the secret ingredient! I think love, with whatever you have a passion for, makes the world go round.And the 9 hour commitment shows the sprirt here! Loved your post…& am also smitten by the coffee coffee cake. Makes me crumble too! Wish I’d got here earlier! Thanks a ton for stopping by (& once before as well). Lol Deeba