French Bread

French Bread   (recipe for 2 loaves)
Double this recipe for 4 large loaves.  The photo shows loaves baked on easy, non-stick Demarle bread form.

1 Tablespoon yeast
1 1/2 C warm water
1 1/2 T sugar
1 1/2 tsp salt
4 1/2 cups flour (1 whole wheat)
3 T canola oil
1 egg yolk  -reserve the egg white
----1 egg white and 1 T water for brushing onto loaves before baking

In mixer  combine water, yeast and sugar.  let sit 10 min.
Add flour, salt, oil, egg yolk and mix well 5 minutes.  May add more flour until the dough cleans the side of the mixing bowl.

Let rise 45 minutes.  Shape into loaves, and place on greased cookie sheet (silpat works great inside the cookie sheet). Cut slits across the top of each loaf and brush egg wash over each loaf.  Let rise 25 minutes.
Bake at 375 for 18 minutes
remove from oven and cool on wire racks