Bread & Roses Loaves

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Prep time: 1.5 hrs-ish

Cook time: 20 - 25 min (30 if yr oven's slow)

Makes two 10 - 12" loaves

Ingredients:

5.5 cups bread flour

1 TBSP sugar

1 TBSP salt (less works fine but molds faster)

1 TBSP yeast

2 c. warm water (hottest tap will go)

1 TBSP oil

Wash:

1 egg white, beaten with 1 TBSP water

Instructions:

1) Combine 2 cups flour, sugar, salt, and yeast. Add warm water and oil. Beat, stir in remaining flour until stiff, one cup at a time. Knead for 5 - 10 minutes.

2) Rise in greased bowl 1 hour

3) Punch, form 2 loaves between 10 - 12" long, leave on greased cookie sheets to rise for 10 - 15 minutes.

4) Cut diagonal slashes in each loaf. I recommend a good pair of kitchen shears but a variety of knives will work with patience.

5) Brush w/egg white/water mixture and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

6) Bake 375 - 400 depending on your oven (I use an odd 385) for 10 - 12 min, remove to brush again with egg mixture, rotate and bake another 10 - 12 minutes.

7) Re-brush and broil 1 - 2 minutes on low.

Bread is done when valleys give some knock-resistance and bottom is creamed-coffee brown but not burned.