Crusty French Bread

Total Time: 50 mins Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

• 2 cups warm water
• 1 tablespoon yeast
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 5 -5 1/2 cups bread flour

Recipe

• 1 dissolve yeast in warm water (110 degrees) and sugar in large bowl; allow yeast to proof or foam (about 10 minutes).
• 2 add salt, oil, and 3 cups flour; beat for 2 minutes.
• 3 stir in 2 cups flour to make a stiff dough.
• 4 knead until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes.
• 5 place in oiled bowl, turn dough to coat all sides, cover and let rise until doubled.
• 6 punch down and divide in half.
• 7 shape dough into two long slender loaves.
• 8 grease and sprinkle with cornmeal either a french bread pan or large cookie sheet.
• 9 place loaves in pan and cut diagonal gashes on top of each loaf (i use scissors).
• 10 cover and let rise until doubled.
• 11 bake at 375 degrees for about 30 minutes.
• 12 note: you can sprinkle or spray water on the loaves during baking if you want a really crunchy crust.