French Bread
Shared by: taddsmama
Source: Taste of Home Cookbook page 452
Ingredients
Directions
Add water, vegetable oil, salt, flour, sugar, yeast, and wheat gluten to the pan of the bread machine. Set machine on homemade cycle: 15 minutes preheat, 10 minutes knead, Rise 1: 60 minutes, Rise 2: 30 minutes.
Punch down dough. Turn onto lightly floured surface. Shape into a loaf 16-inch x 2 1/2-inch with tapered ends. Sprinkle baking stone with cornmeal; place loaf on stone. Place in microwave and let rise until doubled, about 25 minutes. I ALWAYS LET MY BREAD RISE IN THE MICROWAVE!
Beat egg white and cold water; brush over dough. With a sharp knife, make diagonal slashes 2-inches apart across top of loaf.
Bake at 375 degrees for 25 - 30 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pan to a wire rack to cool.