One of the most handy birthday gifts I received this year came from Sean’s parents. They brought it to me during their summer visit. This amazing pan allows you to bake 3 loaves of French Bread at once. It’s made from Chicago Metallic, and called a Commercial II Perforated Baguette Pan. You can find one on Amazon.com. If you want to try making your own homemade French Bread, here’s a great recipe that makes 3 loaves.

French Bread
2 cups hot water
2 teaspoons salt
2 Tablespoons sugar
2 Tablespoons oil
Combine, stir until sugar and salt are dissolved, and cool to lukewarm

1/2 cup warm water
4 1/2 teaspoons active yeast
1/2 teaspoon sugar
Dissolve yeast in warm water

Add yeast mixture to warm water mixture. Stir in 7 1/2 to 8 cups flour. Begin kneading when dough becomes too stiff to stir. Knead 3 – 5 minutes. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled. Divide dough into thirds. Work one piece at a time into long rectangle. Roll dough tightly to form the loaf. Place in each loaf in baguette pan. Let rise again (about 20 – 30 minutes). Brush each loaf with a beaten egg white. Make three slits in top of each loaf with a serrated knife. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes or until lightly browned on top.