The Secret to Making French Bread and Basil Butter

How many times have you picked up French bread from the store because you needed it as a side for your favorite Italian dish? If you're like me, it's too many times to count. I learned after years and years of doing this that I could make my own French bread at home without the use of a bread machine. What's better is that this bread is unbelievably delicious and even more so dipped into my homemade basil butter.


Ingredients for French Bread:

• 1 cup water
• 3 teaspoons yeast
• 3 cups all purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 egg white

Steps for French Bread:

**The key to this bread is plenty of rising time.  So, I would suggest starting your bread dough a good 3-4 hours before meal time.**

Pour the yeast and the water into a large bowl.

Allow the yeast and water to set for about 20 minutes.

When the yeast is frothy, add the flour and the sea salt to the bowl.

Combine the flour, salt, and water with a spatula until the liquid is mixed in well with the flour.

Then with clean hands, combine the dough until it completely sticks together.

Knead the dough for 5-8 minutes.

Form it into a ball and cover the bowl with a damp towel for 2 hours.

Grease 2 Loaf Pans with olive oil.

After 2 hours, split the dough into two equal parts, and form into mini loaves.

Place one in each loaf pan.

Cover and allow to rise for at least 1 hour.

Pre-heat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Bake the bread the bread for 10 minutes, then brush the tops of the loaves with egg whites.

Bake for an additional 20 minutes or until the tops of the loaves are golden.

Slice and serve with your favorite italian dish.


Ingredients for Basil Butter:

• 1 stick of unsalted butter.
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1/8 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic 

Steps for Basil Butter:

Cut the butter into pieces.

Leave the butter out in a bowl so that it can soften.

Once the butter has softened, add the salt, parsley, basil, and garlic.

With a fork, whip all of the ingredients together.

Just like that, yummy basil butter that is a perfect compliment to your perfect french bread.

I make this bread almost weekly.  It is such a simple and tasty recipe.  In fact, I have bread rising in the kitchen right as I type.