French Bread

2-1/2 cups water, very warm NOT hot
5 Tablespoons vegetable oil
3 Tablespoons sugar
1 Tablespoon salt
2 Tablespoons yeast, instant
6 cups flour

In a large bowl, combine very warm water, oil, sugar, and salt. Mix well by hand or in bread mixer until all ingredients are dissolved. Add 3 cups of flour stiring until very smooth. Add remaining 3 cups of flour blended with yeast, (if you do not use instant yeast - proof dry yeast in 1/2 c. of the 2-1/2 cups of water) blending until thoroughly mixed. Dought will be barely sticky, add more flour if necessary.

Optional step: Allow dough to rest for ten minutes, punch out, continues this process up to five times (again optional not necessary at all).

Divide the dough in half and roll out each portion into a 9 x 12 rectangle. Roll the rectangle up like a jelly roll and tuck edges.

Place both loaves on a cookie sheet. Cut three slits in top of loaves with a sharp knife and brush the entire top surface with a slightly beaten egg white for shine. Let rise for 30 minutes and bake at 400 degress for 18 - 20 minutes.

If you wish to make a meal of the bread you can roll meat and sauce inside. You will need to add to your cooking time depending on how much moisture you add.