French Bread

Makes: 3 Loaves   2 Cups Warm Water 1 Tbsp Soft Butter 1 Pkg Dry Yeast 5-6 Cups Flour, Sifted 1 Tbsp Salt Cornmeal 2 Tsp Sugar   Dissolve Yeast In Water. Add Salt, Sugar, Butter And 2 Cups Flour; Beat Till Smooth. Gradually Add Remaining Flour. Knead Dough On Floured Board Till Smooth & Elastic, About 10 Minutes. Place In Greased Bowl, Cover And Let Rise Till Double, About 1 1/2 Hours. Grease Cookie Sheet, Sprinkle With Cornmeal. Punch Dough Down And Divide Into Thirds. Roll Each Into 14x8 In. Oblong. Roll Up Tightly, Pinch To Seal & Taper Ends. Place Loaves 3 In. Apart On Sheet, Cut Four (4) Diagonal Slashes In Each Loaf. Let Rise 1 1/2 Hours. Brush With Cold Water Every 20 Minutes While Baking. Bake At 400 Deg., 40 To 50 Minutes. Cool On Wire Racks. For Harder Crusts, Place A Shallow Pan Of Water In Oven Bottom.