Crusty French Bread - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 Tbsp. shortening
1 Tbsp. salt
1 Tbsp. sugar
1 c. boiling water
1 c. cold water
1 cake compressed yeast or 1 pkg. dry yeast
5 1/2 to 6 c. flour, sifted

Preparation

Combine shortening, salt and sugar in large bowl.
Add boiling water and cold water.
Cool to lukewarm.
Blend yeast as directed on package.
Add to mixture.
Gradually add flour.
Mix until well blended.
Knead on lightly floured board for 5 minutes.
Place in a greased bowl and cover.
Let rise until doubled.
Shape into long oblong loaves and place on greased baking sheet.
Let rise until double.
Brush dough with slightly beaten egg white.
Cut top of dough diagonally across top 3 times.
Bake at 425\u00b0 for 30 minutes; reduce heat to 350\u00b0 and bake 30 minutes longer.