NO FAIL FRENCH BREAD

Prep time, 45 minutes.  Bake time 15 minutes.  6 servings.

2 1/2 cups hot water

2 TBS SAF instant yeast

2 TBS sugar

2 tsp salt

5 1/2 cups white BREAD flour OR freshly ground hard white wheat.

Egg whites lightly beaten

Sesame or poppy seeds (Optional)

Mix everything in the order given, except egg whites and optional seeds.

Knead for about five minutes in bread mixer.  

let rest 15 minutes, covered.

shape dough into 2 loaves and place on a greased cookie sheet.

slather tops of loaves with beaten egg whites and cut 4 - 5 shallow cuts on top of loaves.

Sprinkle with seeds if desired.

Let rise again for about 15 minutes.

preheat oven to 450 degrees and bake for 15 minutes.