French Bread

2 cups warm water
2 Tbsp sugar
1 Tbsp yeast
5 cups flour
2 tsp salt
1 egg white
Combine the water, sugar and yeast together in a mixer. Let it sit until dissolved and bubbly, about 5 minutes. Mix together the flour and salt for 5-7 minutes. Shape into two loaves; let rise until double. If desired warm oven to 200 degrees then turn off. Place bread in oven to speed up rising. To bake, spray loaves with water every 3-4 minutes for 15 minutes at 400 degrees. Bake an additional 5 minutes. Beat 1 egg white until frothy, brush onto loaves and sprinkle with sesame seeds, if desired. Bake 10 minutes more. Serve hot.
NOTE: For even crustier bread place a pan of water in the oven while it preheats and bread bakes.
Leftover stale bread makes great French toast.
For bread sticks, shape dough into 4” logs; dip into butter and roll in parmesan cheese. Let rise until double. Bake 10 to 12 minutes at 400 degrees.
Liz