There's nothing like fresh loaves of thick, crusty country French bread and crackling baquettes. The yeasty, sweet, encompassing smell is almost as satisfying as the taste that follows. Put 1/2 c. of ...

Cut eight 1-inch-thick slices of bread, and trim into 3-by-4-inch rectangles. Melt half the butter in a large sauté pan, add 2 tablespoons sugar, and when it dissolves, add half the bread and ...