French Bread

In a small bowl combine:
1/2 cup warm water
2 Tbs. yeast

In the mixer combine:
2 cups hot water
1/3 cup oil or melted shortening
3 Tbs sugar
3 tsp. salt

Stir 3 cups flour into water, oil, sugar and salt mixture. Add yeast. Beat until smooth. Add 3 cups more flour. Rest 10 min. Stir down. rest and stir every 10 minutes for a total of 5 times. ( by the end of the fifth rising the dough will be about doubled in size.) Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Divide into 2 loaves. Shape and place on a greased cookie sheet. Cut diagonal slashes with a sharp knife. Brush with beaten egg white. Let rise. ( I usually let it rise as long as it takes the oven to preheat and then put it in.) Bake for about 20-30 min at 400 degrees.

* you can also divide the dough in two and put it into two loaf pans.