Quick French Bread

Instructions

1. 1

   Add yeast to water, then add salt and sugar.

2. 2

   Stir until the yeast dissolves.

3. 3

   Beat the flour into the yeast water, a cup at a time, using a wooden spoon to stir.

4. 4

   Add as much flour as you need to make a smooth dough.

5. 5

   Knead until smooth.

6. 6

   Brush top and sides with oil and cover the dough with a towel.

7. 7

   Let stand in a warm place to rise until double in bulk.

8. 8

   Turn the dough onto a floured bread board and shape into long French loaves.

9. 9

   Place the loaves on a baking sheet sprinkled with cornmeal and let stand to rise for 5 minutes.

10. 10

    Slash the tops of the loaves in several places, brush them with water and place in a cold oven.

11. 11

    Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

12. 12

    Place a pan of boiling water in the oven with the loaves and bake them for 45 minutes, or until crusty done.