Bread? I bake bread a lot but have never made a french loaf! Please help!
TIA

I am a big bread maker... from scratch by hand, no bread machine. (You should SEE my biceps!!) What do you need help with?

Yep - same here. Nothing better than a loaf of fresh homemade bread! (no bread machine here either!)

after it rises the first time and your ready to shape it into a french loaf, what is the process?

Well, after the first raise is the second! You need to 'punch' it down and knead it a few times, then let it raise again. Then you'll shape it into the loaf and make some diagonal cuts across the top, then bake.

What temp do you bake with?

make sure that the cuts, just cut the skin, that's to let the steam and heat escape. When the bread is baked the slits pull back almost like horse lips..lol

you should hold the razor at an angle and it should skim under the "skin" a little.

I have found one recipe that works well for me but would like a different bread recipe or starter? Can anyone help? TIA

I love making fresh bread! My mother-in-law bought me a bread machine for xmas and I took it back... I was so insulted. I never made bread for her so she lumped me in her 'do it all the convenient way' category. I hate bread machines! Anyone who had one that I know of, always said it never worked right.

When I first wanted to learn how to make bread my husband bought me a bread machine. I used it about two times and then I tossed it. Hand made is the only way!

My husband says he has a bread machine, me.

I received a bread machine as a gift and have used it several times to give it a chance, but the bread is never 'right'. It never has the right texture or crust. It's just not that great.

As for baking... around 450 degrees for 35-45 minutes, then finish it off by turning the heat down to about 400 for another 15 minutes.

I usually only bake oblong loaves, and they are done in about 30 minutes - 375 or 400. It also helps if you mist the loaf a few times (with water) during baking if you like it to have a good heavy crust. I usually make sourdough breads, and have 2 starters that I have kept going for a few months now.

We are making all kinds of breads for the next two weeks in my Baking & Pastry class. I love it!! Nothing is better than a fresh, hot loaf of bread from the oven!!
Leslie