French Bread

This is a pretty easy recipe for homemade bread. It makes 2 large loaves.

2 packages yeast
1 T plus 2 t sugar
2 C warm water
1 T salt
5 C flour
2 T cornmeal
1 egg yolk mixed with 1 T water (optional)

Combine the yeast, sugar and warm water. Mix well to dissolve yeast. Add the salt and flour. (I use a wooden spoon for this - but I'm sure some of you have dough hooks with your mixers - I'm sure that would work great!) Thoroughly mix together and turn out onto floured surface. Knead until dough becomes pliable and spongy. Return to greased bowl, cover and let rise until doubled.

Remove dough from bowl and divide into 2 portions. Roll into a large rectangle approx. 3/4" thick. Roll up the dough. Tuck and roll so that any seams disappear into the dough.

Sprinkle the baking sheet with cornmeal. Place the loaves on the baking sheet about 3" apart. Sprinkle with the remaining cornmeal (optional). Cover the loaves with a cloth and let rise again for about an hour.




Preheat oven to 375F.

With a sharp knife, make diagonal slashes, about 1" apart, on the top of each loaf. With a pastry brush, brush the egg wash evenly over each loaf. Place a cup of hot water in an oven-proof container on the baking sheet with the loaves.

Bake for 45 minutes, or until bread is golden brown. Cool...slice... and serve!