Crusty French Bread

(from queenofkats’s recipe box)

Source: Taste of Home recipe

Categories: bread

Ingredients

  • 1 pkg (1/4 oz) active dry yeast
  • 1 1/2 c warm water, divided
  • 1 Tbsp sugar
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1 Tbsp shortening, melted
  • 4 c all purpose flour
  • Cornmeal

Directions

  1. In a mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in 1/2 c water

  2. Add sugar, salt, shortening and remaining water; stir until dissolved

  3. Add flour and stir until smooth (do not knead)

  4. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1 hr or until doubled

  5. Turn onto a floured surface

  6. Divide in half; let rest for 10 minutes

  7. Roll each half into a 10 × 8 in rectangle

  8. Roll up from a long side; pinch to seal

  9. Place seam side down on greased baking sheets sprinkled with cornmeal

  10. Sprinkle the tops with cornmeal

  11. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 45 min

  12. With a very sharp knife, make 5 diagonal cuts across the top of each loaf

  13. Bake at 400 for 20-30 min or until lightly browned

  14. Cool on wire racks

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