Bastille Day Recipe Feast: French Bread & French Onion Soup

Happy Bastille Day!  The best way to celebrate is with a French feast, & that’s just what I have for you in a two-part post.  First off we’ll take on a Fabulous French Bread recipe & move on to Fantastic French Onion Soup recipe. 

Finally in the last post, we will get to my favorites:  a Beautiful Beef Bourguignon recipe followed by French Chocolate Mousse.  Crepes were covered earlier this week, so click here to check out that post. 

Well, off we go on our French Bastille Day feast & celebration.

Fabulous French Bread Recipe:

Ingredients: 

• 6 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 1/2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• 1 tablespoon cornmeal
• 1 egg white
• 1 tablespoon water

What’s Next:

In a large bowl- combine 2 cups flour, yeast and salt. Stir in 2 cups warm water, and beat until well blended using a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment. Using a wooden spoon, stir in as much of the remaining flour as you can.

On a lightly floured surface, knead in enough flour to make a stiff dough that is smooth and elastic. Knead for about 8 to 10 minutes total. Shape into a ball. Place dough in a greased bowl, and turn once. Cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled.

Punch dough down, and divide in half. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Cover, and let rest for 10 minutes. Roll each half into large rectangle. Roll up, starting from a long side. Moisten edge with water and seal. Taper ends.

Grease a large baking sheet. Sprinkle with cornmeal. Place loaves, seam side down, on the prepared baking sheet. Lightly beat the egg white with 1 tablespoon of water, and brush on. Cover with a damp cloth. Let rise until nearly doubled, 35 to 40 minutes.

With a very sharp knife, make 3 or 4 diagonal cuts about 1/4 inch deep across top of each loaf. Bake in a preheated 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) oven for 20 minutes. Brush again with egg white mixture. Bake for an additional 15 to 20 minutes, or until bread tests done. If necessary, cover loosely with foil to prevent over browning. Remove from baking sheet, and cool on a wire rack & serve.

Fantastic French Onion Soup Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 large onion, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 2 (14 ounce) cans beef broth
• 1/2 cup white wine
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 2 bay leaves
• 6 slices French bread
• 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese

What’s Next:

In a large saucepan over low heat, melt butter with olive oil. Cook onions in mixture, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes, until very soft, translucent and brown on the edges.

Sprinkle the flour over the onions and stir to combine. Pour in beef broth, wine and water with bay leaves. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, 20 to 30 minutes.

Preheat oven broiler.

Toast the bread slices. Ladle the soup into 6 ovenproof bowls and place the bowls on a baking sheet. Place a toasted slice of bread over each bowl and top with Swiss cheese.
Place bowls under broiler until cheese is melted.

 

Eat well & Laugh often!  Stay tuned for the next Bastille Day Recipe Feast Post.