French Bread - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 pkg. dry yeast
1 1/2 c. warm water (105~ to 115~)
1 Tbsp. sugar or honey
1 Tbsp. butter or margarine
4 1/2 to 4 1/3 c. flour (unbleached)
2 tsp. cornmeal

Preparation

In a large mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water.
Add sugar, salt, butter and 2 cups flour.
Beat with a spoon until thoroughly mixed.
Gradually add remaining flour until dough is easy to handle.
Knead on a lightly floured surface for 5 to 10 minutes or until dough is elastic and not sticky.
Place in a greased bowl; cover with plastic wrap.
Let rise in a warm place until double in size, 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
Punch down and place on lightly floured surface.
Divide into 2 pieces.
Shape each piece into a long narrow loaf about 14 inches long.
Lightly grease inside of Ekco French bread pan; sprinkle 1 teaspoon cornmeal in each section.
Shake pan to distribute evenly.
Place loaves in pan.
Make sure the loaves do not come any closer than 1 1/2 inches to end of pan.
With a sharp knife, make 3 or 4 diagonal 1/4-inch deep slashes on the top of each loaf.
Do not cover.
Let rise in a warm place until double in size, about 45 minutes.
Bake in preheated 375\u00b0 oven for 25 to 30 minutes.
Remove from pan at once.