Crisp Crusted Bread

Ingredients

• •2 1/4 teaspoons yeast
• •1 cup boiling water
• •1 tablespoon oil
• •1 tablespoon salt
• •1 tablespoon sugar
• •1 cup cold water
• •6 cups flour
• •2 egg whites, slightly beaten

Directions

1. 1Soften the yeast in lukewarm water as directed on the package. To the boiling water, add oil, salt, sugar, cold water. Combine with softened yeast. Mix in half of flour and add the slightly beaten egg whites then beat the mixture thoroughly. Stir in remaining flour and knead until dough no longer sticks to your hands. Knead on floured surface until smooth and satiny. Put in bowl, cover and let rise until double in bulk, punch down and let rise again.
2. 2Divide dough into two parts and make each into a round loaf. Place the loaves far apart on a greased baking sheet. Brush loaves with water to prevent drying. Cut slits in top with knife and brush with water. Allow loaves to rise until double in bulk. Heat oven to 400 degrees fahrenheit and place a pie plate half filled with boiling water on the bottom shelf of the oven. This bread requires steam for crustiness.
3. 3Bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes, then lower heat to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and continue baking for another 45 minutes. About 5 minutes before the bread is done, brush the loaves with a glazing mixture of 1 beaten egg white and 2 tablespoons of cold water, or with water alone.