90 Minute French Bread

Directions

1. 1
   Place the 1 C hot water in the microwave for 3 minutes to get it boiling.
2. 2
   Dissolve the yeast into the warm water. Stir it around until it is all mixed.
3. 3
   Combine the salt, shortening, and sugar in the bottom of your mixer with a fork. The dough hook doesn't work very well.
4. 4
   Pour the boiling water over the shortening mixture.
5. 5
   Pour the cold water over the mixture.
6. 6
   Pour the warm water and yeast into the mixer.
7. 7
   Begin to add the flour, one cup at a time, until the dough pulls away from the side of your mixer.
8. 8
   Let the dough mix on high for 8 minutes.
9. 9
   Let the dough rise in the mixer for about 20 minutes.
10. 10
    Separate the dough into three parts and place on a large jelly roll pan sprayed with cooking spray. Let the dough sit for about 5 minutes. Letting it sit will make it MUCH easier to shape.
11. 11
    Form or roll the dough out to about 1/2 inch thick.
12. 12
    Starting at one edge, roll it into a tube.
13. 13
    Bring the ends up & over, overlapping slightly, flip to seam side down and set to the side while you repeat with the other 2 pieces.
14. 14
    Oil a sharp knife & make 3 diagonal slashes on each loaf (approximately 1/2 inch thick).
15. 15
    Prepare an egg wash (1 beaten egg, 2 T water, mixed well) and gently brush all over the loaves.
16. 16
    Place the loaves in a 170 degree oven for 20 minutes, to rise.
17. 17
    Leaving the loaves in the oven, turn oven up to 400 degrees F and bake for 15 minutes (375 degrees for 10 minutes, for a convection oven).
18. 18
    Turn the oven down to 350 degrees F & bake 10 minutes longer (325 for 7 minutes, for convection).