EAT CHEAP! 12" sub recipe for under $1.89 (PICTURE/MATH HEAVY)

I found this incredible French Baguette recipe a few months ago, and I can't get enough of this bread! It's by far the most tasty bread I have ever had, it's always fresh (because you made it), it's incredibly inexpensive, and it's great for sandwiches. You can find the original recipe here, however, it requires a bread machine to use. So, I'm going to show you how you can make this without a bread machine (and a few extra tricks)



French Baguettes
(This makes two 12" Baguettes)

• 1 cup water
• 2 1/2 cups bread flour
• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Active Dry Yeast
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 tablespoon water


1. Combine very warm water, active dry yeast, and sugar and allow to proof (leave in a bowl for 10 minutes.
2. Once the 10 minutes is up, add the salt, then add the flower and knead until no longer sticky.
3. Place dough in a greased bowl, turning to coat all sides. Cover, and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until tripled in bulk. Dough is ready if indentation remains when touched.
4. Punch down dough. and let rise for another hour. On a lightly floured surface, roll into a 16x12 inch rectangle. Cut dough in half, creating two 8x12 inch rectangles. Roll up each half of dough tightly, beginning at 12 inch side, pounding out any air bubbles as you go. Roll gently back and forth to taper end. Place 3-5 inches apart on a greased cookie sheet. Make deep diagonal slashes across loaves every 2 inches, or make one lengthwise slash on each loaf. Cover, and let rise in a warm place for 30 to 40 minutes, or until doubled in bulk.
5. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Mix egg yolk with 1 tablespoon water; brush over tops of loaves.
6. Bake for 20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden brown.



So how does this all add up to $1.89? Per sub? Well, here's a basic rundown for those who have NO ingredients (prices will vary from store to store/country):

890 mL Mayonnaise = $3.00
200 g of deli meat = $6.10
1 Head of Lettuce = $1.50
12 pack Large Eggs = $2.78
113g Quick Rise Dry Yeast = $4.27
2.5kg bag of Bread Flour = $4.27
2kg bag of Granulated White Sugar = $2.47
1kg Salt = $0.94

Total cost before taxes: $25.33

Using the costs of the products listed above, and calculating the amount needed for two sandwiches, you'll spend:

1 Tablespoon Mayonnaise = $0.04
1 slice of deli meat = $0.50
1 Lettuce leaf = $0.07
1 pack egg yolk = $0.23
1.5 teaspoon Quick Rise Dry Yeast = $0.53
2.5 cups of Bread Flour = $0.51
1 Tablespoon Granulated White Sugar = $0.01
1 Teaspoon Salt = $0.005

Total cost for 2 12" sub = $1.89

You could go further by growing your own lettuce, raising chickens for eggs/meat, and buying in bulk. However, if you don't want to go through all the time required to do those extra things, and just need a simple way to eat inexpensively, try making this easy recipe today!

My wife and I cut the sub in half and each have a 6" one to ourselves

My wife would love this recipe thanks

Here's a tip: don't score your dough until just before baking. This will allow the dough to "bloom" properly, and ensure a beautiful loaf.

a reply to: Atsbhct

Thanks for the tip

I'm new to bread making, so the more info the better

a reply to: Ghost147

I love making bread. Like you said, it's insanely cheap, and it's comforting and delicious.

My favourite bread is definitely no knead bread. It's insanely simple, but a long process. I find high hydration breads come out with a better crumb and crust than your typical white bread loaf.

a reply to: Atsbhct
Hmm, I'd love to see some bread recipes, without a bread machine especially. Can't imagine how good a sandwich from homemade bread would taste.

a reply to: Tiamat384

I'll share some when I can tomorrow.

a reply to: Atsbhct
That sounds great! I'll be waiting.

a reply to: Ghost147

OK, I'm calling you out on this one. The topic is too important to let it go. One leaf of lettuce, one piece of deli meat, and one spoon of mayo on a 12" sub? Whoever taught you sandwiches needs to be in jail or, at a minimum, on probation.

That bread does look delicious though! Add it to the ATS cookbook.

I'm off carbs for the time being, but I'll have to try this bread recipe as soon as I can. Thanks. S & F!

Yea that looks like way to much bread for me I avoid bread ... my go to is rice and chicken 1 breast and some rice a buck a meal even with me using basmiti rice I buy 25 lb bags of royal brand

For under 2 a serving and other people will eat lol not everyone loves rice I make enchalatas I buy everything In bulk make 5 trays and freeze them
Use coliflower for cheap filler or rice and some chicken or beef depending on how much I Wana spend and never buy the canned sauce it's really simple to make ur own and 10x cheaper

One piece of deli meat. WTF!

a reply to: Ksihkehe

oops, good catch! hah, we use 1 leaf and 1 deli meat per 6" sandwich. So I suppose you could add another $0.57 for the 12"

The amount of lettuce and Sandwich meat is subjective of course You could have a vegi sandwich and make it $0.50-$1.00 cheaper. We don;t use an excessive amount simply because we don't feel we need it.

EDIT: I just realized that the listed ingredience amount is for two 12" subs. so it's actually a bit cheaper!

Brilliant! Thanks for sharing. It's so hard to eat healthy because it can get pricey. I love going to the sub shops so if I can make these myself then that would encourage me to enjoy these more often at a fraction of the cost.

originally posted by: Ghost147
a reply to: Ksihkehe

oops, good catch! hah, we use 1 leaf and 1 deli meat per 6" sandwich. So I suppose you could add another $0.57 for the 12"

The amount of lettuce and Sandwich meat is subjective of course You could have a vegi sandwich and make it $0.50-$1.00 cheaper. We don;t use an excessive amount simply because we don't feel we need it.

EDIT: I just realized that the listed ingredience amount is for two 12" subs. so it's actually a bit cheaper!

I see photographic evidence of at least two pieces of lettuce on the sub. I smell a conspiracy. You're shilling. How much is 'big flour' paying you to post your lies?

Didn't see the thread going here did you? All in good fun. I'd not have clicked the title, but I usually enjoy your posts.

This is a nice break from all the heavy on the boards lately.

I'll have to keep this recipe! My family eats so much bread, I know I know, but sandwiches are quick and easy and we don't have a bread maker. Will have to give this a go next time I get groceries.

a reply to: Ghost147

I've tagged this and I'm gonna give it a go and do the math as you said. Presently a white loaf of bread will cost me 85c Aussie at the Supermarket. About 22 slices per loaf.

Used to do the bread oven thing but a little time consuming. I'll check this out and get back to you.

Bally

a reply to: markovian

Excellent, I'll try this also, thanks.

Bally

originally posted by: bally001
a reply to: Ghost147

I've tagged this and I'm gonna give it a go and do the math as you said. Presently a white loaf of bread will cost me 85c Aussie at the Supermarket. About 22 slices per loaf.

Used to do the bread oven thing but a little time consuming. I'll check this out and get back to you.

Bally

How! in the US it's over $2.00, over $3 AUS. AUS should be 15-20% higher than US.

a reply to: OccamsRazor04

Our two major supermarkets like to have competitions with eachother, therefore the farmers get shoddy deals and everyday shoppers get $1 milk and 85cent bread.