French Bread

Step 1: In large bowl, mix 2 cups of the flour, sugar, salt and yeast. Add warm water and oil. Beat with electric mixer on low speed 1 minute, scraping bowl frequently. Beat on medium speed 1 minute, scraping bowl frequently. Stir in enough remaining flour about 1/3 cup or less at a time to make dough easy to handle (dough will be soft).

Step 2: On lightly floured surface, knead dough about 5 minutes or until smooth and elastic.

Step 3: Grease large bowl with shortening or oil. Place dough in bowl, turning dough to grease all sides. Cover and let rise in warm place 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours or until dough has doubled in size. (Rising time is longer than times for traditional breads, which gives the typical French bread texture.) Dough is ready if indentation remains when touched.

Step 4: Gently push fist into dough to deflate; divide in half. On lightly floured surface, roll each half into 15 x 8-inch rectangle. Roll dough up tightly, beginning at 15-inch side, to form a loaf. Pinch edge of dough into roll to seal. Roll gently back and forth to taper ends. Place both loaves on a greased cookie sheet

Step 5: Cut 1/4-inch-deep slashes across tops of loaves at 2-inch intervals with sharp knife. Brush loaves lightly with cold water. Let rise uncovered in warm place about 1 hour or until dough has doubled in size.

Step 6: Preheat oven to 375°F.

Step 7: In small bowl whisk egg white and 1 tablespoon cold water; brush over loaves. Sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Step 8: Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until loaves are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped. Remove from cookie sheet to wire

Step 9: For Crunchy Crust or Hard Rolls: If you prefer a more crunchy crust to this delightful bread, spray the loaves with water right before baking and add a pan of water to the oven. Crusty Hard Rolls: Grease large cookie sheet with shortening or spray with cooking spray; sprinkle with cornmeal. After deflating dough, divide into 12 equal parts. Shape each part into a ball; place on cookie sheet. Brush rolls with cold water. Let rise uncovered about 1 hour or until dough has doubled in size. Heat oven to 425°F. In small bowl, mix egg white and 1 tablespoon cold water; brush over rolls. Sprinkle with poppy or sesame seed. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until brown. 12 rolls.