Bon Apetite!

Mindurs was asking for some recipes... so I am making them public. This French bread recipe is now a fav around our house. I have gotten to the point of life where it is actually easier to make French bread from scratch rather than haul 3 kids to the grocery store, and it tastes better too!

French Bread
5 c bread flour (plain white works too...bread flour just makes it lighter)
2 Tbsp sugar
2 Tbsp instant yeast
2 tsp salt
2 1/4 c warm water

Mix all ingredients together in Kitchen Aid (with dough hook attachment). Mix until smooth and elastic (around 5-8 mins). Transfer to a Pam sprayed bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let raise until doubled. Punch down, divide in half. Roll half out into a large rectangle and roll up into a log. Tuck the end under, set aside and repeat with other half of dough. Place on sprayed cookie sheet, slash the tops of the loaves with shallow cuts a few time, then cover and let rise for 15-20 minutes. Bake at 400 for 15-20 minutes. Let sit for a few minutes before cutting and enjoy! If you like it crunchy, put a pan of water in the oven while baking.

This bread is fat free until you spread THIS on top...

Pesto
1 1/3 ups fresh basil leaves
4 garlic cloves
4 TBS pine nuts
1/2 cup olive oil
1 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

Put the basil leaves, garlic and pine nuts in a blender or food processor. Add 4 TBS olive oil. Process until finely chopped. Turn off machine and scrape down the side of the bowl. Turn on machine again and slowly pour the remaining oil in the bowl. Scrape the mixture into a large bowl and stir in the cheese with a wooden spoon.

Alfredo Sauce (Sometimes I mix the pesto and Alfredo sauce and put over noodles)
1/4 cup butter
1 cup heavy cream
2/3 cup parmesan cheese

Melt butter in large sauce pan. Add the cream and bring to boil Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring, then add the parmesan with salt and pepper to taste.