You guys....I LOVE bread.
Exhibit A: my "usual" at Panera.
French Onion Soup in a bread bowl with a side of baguette
Or as Mr. E called it this afternoon....
"Bread with a side of soup."
I admit it, I am smitten with bread...and Panera. And I LOVE than they give you the bread that was scooped out for the soup. That chunk of bread is like a little piece of heaven. (Please tell me there is bread in heaven.)
Speaking of bread (and I can't believe I've never shared this recipe before)...this is the ULTIMATE white bread for sandwiches, toast, snacking (?). :) If you love bread like I do, I BEG you to make it.
{My pictures aren't great, but the bread....oh, it's incredible! It's carbo-load time!}
White Bread 101
{barely modified from The King Arthur Flour Baker's Companion }
3 c. all-purpose flour (you can subs. WHITE whole wheat flour here)
2 tsp instant yeast
1 & 1/2 tsp kosher salt
3 TBSP sugar
4 TBSP softened butter
1/4 c. dry milk
1/3 c. potato flakes
1 & 1/8 c. lukewarm water
Combine all ingredients together. Dump onto a lightly floured surface and knead until you have a smooth dough...about 10 minutes. Add more flour as needed, but add sparingly as more flour equals a heavier, drier loaf.
Transfer to a lightly oiled bowl; cover with oiled plastic wrap and let rise for 1 hour.
Transfer to a lightly greased work surface and shape into an 8" log. Place in a lightly greased 8.5" x 4.5" loaf pan. Cover loosely with the oiled plastic wrap and let rise about 1 hour....or until the dough has risen 1 inch over the rim.
Preheat oven to 350. Uncover and bake the bread for 35-40 minutes, or until an instant thermometer reads 190 degrees. (Tent with foil during the last 10-15 minutes of baking if it is browning too quickly.)
Remove bread from the pan and place on a wire cooling rack. After 15 minutes, brush with butter. Cool completely before slicing.
Makes a mean grilled cheese or PB & J sandwich!
{This post about my love for "bread with a side of soup" is sponsored by Panera. My obsession with carbs, my love of French Onion soup and my extra 15 pounds are mine and mine alone.}
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