I have been looking for a great French Bread recipe for forever! THIS IS IT! Can't wait to share it with my Mom who has been looking even longer than I have!

This is the best bread I have ever tasted! I no longer buy bread because it can't hold a candle to this. Sometimes I'll add fresh rosemary or Italian herbs for a variation, but it's great just as it is. Another modification that I have tried is to use 1/2 cup of whole wheat flour and only 1 1/2 cups of regular flour and 2 cups bread flour and that is very tasty too. Thanks so much!!

I prepared the bread exactly according to the directions. It did well until I went to put the bread in the oven. It didn't rise properly. It rose out instead of up and was very heavy. Very hard to make a good loaf.

I served this with homemade vegetable soup last night and my husband was still raving about it this morning. Crunchy outside and tender inside. Not doughy at all.

First time making french bread. Mind you, I am a seasoned cook, and make tons of bread in the bread machine, on dough cycle. All I can say is WOW! My husband and I are from New York, and LOVE good food. We just cant seem to find it on the street corners in Washington State. Soooo we make it. This recipe is defiantly staying in my house!! I would change the oil for butter, and this recipe does make 2 baguettes OR 1 french loaf. ** IMPORTANT** You must slit the bread 3 times, at a diagonal,with a VERY sharp knife, or razor blade. This lets important property's in the gluten to stretch, resulting in a perfect french bread! I already have another one rising right now!!