Fast French Bread

This recipe has rounded out many a meal for us lately.  So fast and easy that even my boys make it!

Fast French Bread

2 cups very warm water

1 packet yeast

2 tablespoons sugar

1 1/2 teaspoon salt

3-4 cups flour

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees with a broiler pan on the bottom rack. In a large bowl, whisk together the warm water, yeast, and sugar. Set the bowl on top of your preheating oven for ten minutes. Stir in the salt and add the flour a half-cup at a time, until the dough becomes soft but not sticky. Knead the dough until elastic.
Cut the dough into four even pieces. Roll each of them into four long, thin ropes. Twist together two of the ropes to form one loaf. Twist the other two ropes together to form a second loaf. Transfer both onto a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
You can now bake the loaf right away (if you’re in a hurry) or allow it to rise for an additional 15-30 minutes on top of your warm oven.  To bake:  Put tray of bread on the top rack.  On the bottom rack pour about 1 cup of hot water into the broiler pan.  DO NOT open your oven for 15 minutes.  Bake 15-20 minutes til golden.  YUM!