Best Basic French Bread Recipe

Add the first 4 ingredients together and let sit until bubbly (about 3-5 minutes). Then add the remaining ingredients. If dough is too soft or sticky, add a little more flour, one ½ cup at a time, until the dough is soft  but firm enough to mold into dough loaves. Knead the dough for 2-5 minutes. Put in the oven with a small pot of boiling water (the water will keep the dough moist). Watch the dough and punch it down when it gets to the top of the mixing bowl. Do this every time it gets to the top of the bowl, as long as you have time to babysit it (2-5 times). Put the dough on a greased countertop and divide into 2 or 3 sections (makes 3 small loaves or 2 large). Spray a cookie sheet with cooking spray and sprinkle a thin layer of cornmeal on the bottom of the sheet. Roll the dough balls into rectangle/long French bread shapes. Slash tops of bread diagonally 3-5 times and cover with a beaten egg. Let rise 30 minutes (or until doubled) on the counter, or you can put them in your oven at 170 and wait until they are the size you want to cook them at. Once they are to the right size, turn up your stove to 375 (without opening the door!) and let them bake until done. (Or, just raise on the counter and bake at 375 for 30 minutes.) Enjoy!