Ingredients :
1 kg / 2 lb strong plain flour
40 g fresh yeast
600 ml / 1 pint lukewarm water
4 teaspoons salt
Steps :
- Sprinkle a large baking tray with flour
- Sift the flour into a bowl and make a well in the centre
- Cream the yeast with a little of the water then add the remaining water and pour into the flour
- Sprinkle a little of the flour over the liquid , cover and leave to stand in a warm placefor 15 minutes
- Sprinkle the salt on to the flour and mix all the igredients to a dough
- Knead the dough until smooth and elastic , about 5-10 minutes
- Sprinkle well with flour so that the surfacedoes not form a crust, cover and leave to stand for 2-3 hours at room temperature
- Quickly knead the dough again on a floured board abd divide into four pieces
- Form each piece into a long roll and place on the floured baking tray
- Cover and leave to stand in a warm place for a further 30 minutes
- Preheat the oven to hot (220 C , 425 F , gas mark 7)
- Slash the loaves diagonally several times with a fine sharp knife and brush with lukewarm water
- Bake for 15 minutes then reduce the oven temperature to moderate (180 C , 350 F , gas mark 4) and bake for a further 15-20 minutes .
That's all :) Enjoy your France Bread ! <3
