French Bread

Delicious Crusty French Bread

Ingredients:

- 1 cup lukewarm water
- 1 1/2 teaspoons shortening or butter
- 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 3 1/4 cups bread flour
- 1 teaspoon instant yeast

- 1 T olive oil

Glaze: 1 egg white + 1 teaspoon water whisked together well

Directions:

* Bake at 400 degrees

1. Combine water, sugar, and yeast together and let sit for 10 minutes until yeast dissolves.

2. In a separate mixing bowl whisk together flour and salt, then add butter, oil, and yeast mixture.

3. Knead together for 5-10 minutes (if the dough is to dry you can add a Tablespoon of warm water).

4. Let the dough rise for 30 minutes then punch down and form into a long loaf.

5. Place the loaf onto a greased cookie sheet then paint the loaf with the glaze. Let it rise for another 30 minutes

6. Place a pot of boiling water at the bottom of your 400 degree oven (this will help make a nice crust on your french bread). Then put the bread in the oven for 15-25 minutes (depending on how hot your oven gets).