French Bread / Hard Rolls

Ingredients:

• Two 1/4oz packages active dry yeast
• 1/2 cup warm water (110-120°)
• 1 3/4 teaspoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons sugar, additional
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 tablespoons shortening
• 1 pint boiling water
• 6-7 cups flour
• 1/2 cup milk
• Sesame seeds

Instructions:

Dissolve yeast in warm water then add 1 3/4 teaspoons sugar. Mix together the additional sugar, salt, shortening and boiling water. Let cool to lukewarm, then add to yeast mixture. Add about 6 cups of flour. Stir well. Let rise 40 to 50 minutes, beating down with a large spoon every 10 minutes. The dough should be too sticky to knead at this point.

Put the dough on a floured board and add flour until dough is not sticky and is easy to handle. Knead well. Make into long French loaves or small rolls. Brush with milk and add sesame seeds. Let rise in a warm place for about an hour. Bake at 400 degrees for 25 minutes. Makes four 14-inch loaves or 2-3 dozen rolls.