Make your mornings a little less hectic with these overnight breakfast recipes. Prep the night before and enjoy a warm, comforting meal in the morning.
Herbes De Provence French Bread
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Ahhh, the smell of freshly baked bread! These loaves made with a classic Herbes de Provence spice mix are perfect for Italian sandwiches or just a simple dip in olive oil to start a meal.
serves/makes:
ready in:
2-5 hrs
2-5 hrs
ingredients
2 1/2 cups warm water
1 envelope dry yeast
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon salt
2 tablespoons herbes de provence
7 cups all purpose flour
1 egg white, lightly beaten
directions
Combine the water, yeast, sugar, salt, and herbes de provence in a large bowl. Mix until the yeast dissolves.
Stir in the flour and mix well until a dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a floured work surface and knead for 10 minutes.
Cover the dough and let rise in a warm, draft-free location until doubled in size, about 1 1/2 hours.
Punch down the dough to release the gasses then knead 5 times. Divide the dough into 4 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a long loaf. Place in greased French bread pans or place on a baking sheet. Slash the tops at 2-inch intervals with a sharp knife. Brush the tops of the loaves with beaten egg white. Let the dough rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Place the bread in the oven and bake at 400 degrees F for 10 minutes. Reduce the oven heat to 350 degrees F and bake for 20 minutes. The loaves will sound hollow when tapped when they are fully baked.
Remove the French bread from the oven and let cool on wire racks. Store in an airtight container. The bread freezes well.
recipe tips
For a more rustic look, sprinkle some extra herbes de provence on top of the loaves before baking.
If the bread starts to brown too quickly in the oven, tent it with aluminum foil to prevent burning.
Experiment with different shapes for the loaves, such as round boules or braided loaves.
Serve the French bread warm with olive oil and balsamic vinegar for dipping or use it as a base for bruschetta toppings.
To reheat the bread, place it in a 350 degrees F oven for 10-15 minutes until warmed through.
common recipe questions
What is Herbes de Provence?
Herbes de Provence is a blend of dried herbs typical of the Provence region of France, usually including herbs like thyme, rosemary, marjoram, and savory.
What if I don't have French bread pans?
If you don't have French bread pans, you can shape the loaves and place them on a baking sheet to bake. The shape may be slightly different, but the taste will be the same.
Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?
You can use whole wheat flour, but the texture and rise of the bread will be different.
What is the purpose of slashing the tops of the loaves?
Slashing the tops of the loaves allows the bread to expand and rise evenly in the oven while baking. It also creates a decorative pattern on the crust.
How can I store the French bread?
Store the French bread in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. It can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
Can I add other herbs to the bread?
You can add additional herbs like basil, oregano, or lavender.
Why do I need to let the dough rise twice?
Letting the dough rise twice helps develop the flavor and texture of the bread. The first rise allows the yeast to ferment and the second rise gives the bread its final shape.
How do I know when the bread is fully baked?
The bread is fully baked when it sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom and the crust is golden brown. You can also use a kitchen thermometer to check if the internal temperature is around 190-200 degrees F.
nutrition data
Nutritional data has not been calculated yet.
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