French Bread + A Sandwich

For years now, I have been making French bread for my family's pasta nights. I don't remember how I came across the recipe, but I did save the website. The other night I had the revelation it would make a great sub. So the next day, I whipped up another batch and served it hot for a Tofurky sandwich making buffet. With the holidays, we can all get sucked into cookies, candies and casseroles. Although they all taste great, sometimes it good to have a lighter day in between. In the following, I will detail the bread and the sandwich.

The first step for the French bread is to mix warm water, yeast and sugar in a small bowl. Then mix hot water, oil and additional sugar in a large bowl. To the large bowl, add two cups flour and mix until combined. Once combined, add yeast mixture. It will become very wet. Add another cup of flour and mix until nearly combined. For a minute or so, knead the dough until it comes together. Set aside for one hour.

After dough has risen, transfer to baking sheet. Stretch the dough diagonally across the pan, as seen below. Let rise an additional 30 minutes.

Once risen, place in oven and bake for 20 minutes.

If you'd like to make a sandwich, cut the bread up in thirds. My loaf was about 15 inches long, so each sandwich was about 5 inches long. Not each was equal, some were thicker than others, but that's OK. Then slice each horizontally, but don't slice all the way through. Then pile in with your favorite toppings. I recommend Vegenaise, Tofurky Peppered Deli Slices, mixed greens and a little cheese.

French Bread Adapted from La Fuji Mama

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 tsp instant yeast
• 1/4 cup warm water
• 1/4 tsp sugar

• 1 cup hot water
• 1 1/2 tbsp sugar
• 1/4 cup oil
• 2 tsp salt

• 3 cups all purpose flour

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Mix yeast, warm water and 1/4 tsp sugar in small bowl. Set aside.

Mix hot water, 1 1/2 tbsp sugar, oil and salt in large bowl. Add two cups all purpose flour and mix until dough forms. Add yeast mixture. (Mixture will be very wet.) Add one cup flour and mix until dough forms. Let rise for one hour.

Transfer to baking sheet and stretch into long baguette. Let rise for 30 minutes.

Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes.

French Bread Tofurky Sandwich - Makes one

Ingredients

• 1 5-inch sub
• 1 tbsp vegenaise
• 3 slices peppered Tofurky
• Handful mixed greens
• 2 slices cheese

Instructions

Slice 5-inch sub horizontally. Spread vegenaise on one half. Pile with Tofurky, cheese and mixed greens.