French Bread

From Laure via Melissa

1 1/4 cup warm water
3 cup bread flour
1 tsp salt
2 1/2 tsp yeast

For bread machine: put in on dough cycle
For mixer with dough hook: add all ingredients to bowl and knead for 6-8 minutes

Cover and let rise in warm place for 45 minutes or until double in bulk. (I turn my oven on to the lowest temperature possible and turn it off before it gets up to temperature, just to make it warmer than my kitchen. The dough rises, covered, in the oven.)

Punch down risen dough and roll into two tight balls. Let rest under moist cloth for 10 minutes.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees for 30 minutes. While oven is preheating, roll dough into rectangles and roll into loaves. Roll like playdoh snakes to get the seams out. Put on pans to rise while oven continues to preheat.

After 30 minutes, cut some gashes in the top of each loaf with a very sharp knife. Brush loaves with egg white mixed with a little water (I skip this step, but it does make them nice and shiny.)

Put pan in oven and throw in 3-5 ice cubes at the bottom of the oven. Immediately close the door and bake for 15-18 minutes. The ice cubes will melt and create a moist, hot environment in the oven to help make a crispy crust.