No Fail French Bread

prep time: 10 minutes (then stirring every 10 minutes for another 40 minutes) bake time: 20-25 minutes Makes 2 loaves

Ingredients:½ cup warm water
4 ½ tsp yeast(I buy SAF instant yeast)
2 cups of HOT water
1 Tbsp salt
3 Tbsp sugar
1/3 cup oil
6 cups flour (I used all whole wheat at the beach but you can use half wheat and half white or all white)

1. Sprinkle yeast over warm water in a small bowl or measuring cup
2. In a large bowl, combine hot water, salt, sugar and oil. Let stand until warm.
3. Add yeast mixture and 3 cups of flour. Beat until smooth.
4. Add remaining flour to form soft, stirrable dough. (add a little more if it's too sticky--sometimes the humidity in the air can affect this)
5. Cover the dough with a towel and let it rest for ten minutes. Stir again. Repeat this step 5 times.
6. Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead enough to make dough workable for easy handling.
7. Divide dough in half and use hands to form into an oblong loaf shape. Fold in sides, push through the middle and seal seam.(I have made 4 smaller loaves as well.)
8. Arrange side by side on a large cookie sheet
9. Brush with beaten egg white. Slash diagonally 3 or 4 times.
10. Bake at 400 for 20-25 minutes.

This bread freezes well after it is baked and makes great garlic toast the day after!

I got this recipe from my friend Stephanie.