Ingredients
2 Tablespoons Yeast
1/2 cup Warm Water
2 cups Hot Water (not boiling)
3 Tablespoons Sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons Salt
1/3 cup Oil
6 1/2 cups Flour
1 Egg for brushing on bread
Directions
In a small bowl, dissolve your yeast in ½ cup warm water. Make sure that your water is warm (not too cold, not too hot). Let proof for 10 minutes (you will see a frothy foam on the top when it is ready).
In a another mixing bowl, combine hot water, sugar, salt, oil and 3 cups of the flour and mix together. Add the yeast mixture to a bowl.
Add the remaining 3 1/2 cups of flour, one cup at a time, mixing after each
addition. Watch for it to start pulling away from the bowl to know it’s ready. Once all the flour is added, let sit for 10 minutes.
Separate your dough into 3 pieces. On a floured surface roll each piece into a 9×12 rectangle. Roll it up like a jelly roll. Shape into a French bread loaf and smooth out edges( I like to tuck the ends).
Place the dough on a greased baking pan or a Silpat, seam side down. Using a knife, make 3-4 diagonal cuts about 1/4 inch thick in bread. Brush with your beaten egg.
Let dough rise uncovered for 30-40 minutes in a warm place.
Bake at 375 for 18-22 minutes or until golden brown.