Roti Perancis - French Loaf

I have tried making french loaf once before and it did not turn out good at all.  It was as hard as a rock!  This was many years back.  I have decided to just buy them from the shops whenever I feel like eating it.  After the first incident, I have never gotten myself to try bake my own french loaf again. Got no confidence in myself.  At home, we usually eat french loaf with kacang phool or fried with egg and minced beef a.k.a Roti John. 

After much procrastination, I have decided to try out the recipe given to my mum by my cousin in Melbourne.  I tried it when my mum was at my place last week.... Wanted her to 'judge' my roti!

This time round the result was much better!  I liked the outcome.  It's just that I did not knead it long enough, I think.  The texture of the bread was a little 'dense' and the skin is very wrinkled.  My mum said the one my cousin made was a little fluffier.  Nadyn liked it very much.  She kept on asking me to cut another piece for her.  I think she finished half of the loaf!  At least now, I have more confidence to bake my own french loaf.

This is the recipe.

• 2 cups unbleached white flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp caster sugar
• 7gm yeast
• 1 cup warm water

1. Sift flour and salt together into a large mixing bowl.  Add yeast and sugar.
2. Make a well in the centre and add water.  Stir to form a soft dough.  (It should be quite sticky, not like normal bread dough).  Knead then leave for 1 hour or until double the size.
3. Preheat oven to 220C.  Line tray with baking paper.  Roll out dough to 30cm x 20cm and roll up tightly.
4. Allow to rise after slashing down the centre with sharp knife.  Sprinkle with water and bake for 20 minutes.

My daughters want to use the computer now.  They want to play 'make-up' and 'dress-up' games!  Well, it is the school holidays....  Enjoy aje lah ya...