French Bread

At least once a week growing up (usually on primary day), we would come home to the smell of fresh baked bread. Grandma would make her French bread, so yummy! When I was too old for primary it would be my job (since Mom, LeNell, Annette, JoAn and John would be at primary) to put the loaves in the oven after they were done raising. My friend Patsy would always come over on those days just to eat Grandma's bread. This recipe is pretty close to hers:

2pkgs dry yeast

1 T. salt

2-1/2 c. very warm water

3 T sugar

5 T veg. oil

6 cups unsifted flour

1 egg white

In large bowl, combine 2 c. hot water, sugar salt, oil and 3 cups flour. mix will by hand. Stir in proofed or dry yeast and add remaining flour. Dough should be barely sticky, add more flour if necessary. Mix well. Allow dough to rest for ten minutes and stir again. Repeat five times for a total of 50 minutes. Turn out dough onto oiled counter. Knead once or twice. Divide in two. Roll each half into 9x12 rectangle. Starting at long edge, roll loosely. Seal edges. place both rolls seam down on one large baking sheet. Gash top diagonally 3 times with sharp knife. (Grandma would cut slits with scissors down the long way of the loaf, we all loved watching her do this) Brush with beaten egg white. Rise 30 minutes. Bake at 400 degrees for 25- 30 minutes. Makes two loaves

(I think Grandma doubled the recipe because I remember ending up with 4 loaves that we all devoured) Thanks Mom for all that delicious bread.