French Bread I

Soak a brick in water overnight, then drain it and put it in the oven
with the bread to create steam. This gives the loaves a firm crust.

Makes 12 small loaves

Soak brick in water overnight.

Sprinkle yeast onto 1/4 cup warm water in bowl of electric meixer
fitted with a dough hook; stir to dissolve. Let stand 5 minutes. Add
remaining water, 4 cups flour and salt and beat until smooth. Beat in
remaining flour 1/2 cup at a time until slightly sticky dough forms.
Mix until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes. Turn dough out onto
lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and no longer sticky,
adding more flour if necessary, about 3 minutes. (Dough can also be
mixed and kneaded by hand.) Grease large bowl and add dough, turning
to coat surface. Cover with damp towel. Let rise at room temperature
8 hours.

Punch dough down and knead on lightly floured surface until smooth,
about 2 minutes. Return to greased bowl, turning to coat entire
surface. Cover with damp towel and let rise in warm draft-free area
until doubled in volume, about 2 hours.

Grease baking sheets and sprinkle with cornmeal. Punchy dough down and
knead on lightly floured surface until smooth, about 2 minutes.
Divide into 12 pieces. Pat each into 4×7-inch rectangle. Roll up
jelly roll fashion, starting at one long side. Pinch seams to seal.
Arrange seam side down on prepared sheets, spacing 3 inches apart.
Let rise until almost doubled in volume, about 45 minutes.

Preheat oven to 475 F. Remove brick from water and place in oven.
Make 3 diagonal slashes in loaves. Brush with egg glaze. Bake 10
minutes. Reduce oven to 350 F and continue baking until loaves sound
hollow when tapped on bottom, about 35 minutes. Cool on racks before
serving.