French Bread

Ahhhh....the smell of home = fresh bread.
You know that smell of freshly baked bread is just so inviting. I think that's one of the many problems in our consumer culture. When moms stopped taking time to make bread for their families because it was more convenient to go buy it; then there was no reason to eat at home together anymore.
I am not by any means judging you if you don't make bread. I know there are plenty of moms that are caring for their families without making bread. After all, there is no righteousness there anyway.
Enough said - here is my latest.

French Bread -

1 1/4 cups hot water
1/2 cup milk (go ahead and use all water if you want. I think milk only affects the texture not so much the taste)
2 Tbs. Oil
1 Tbs. Honey
2 tsp salt
1 tsp gluten (I don't use it)
2 Tbs Lecithin (I don't use this either, I haven't found it. Instead I use one egg because it contains a good amount of Lecithin)
4-5 cups of freshly milled flour (Hard White or your choice of Hard White and Hard Red)
2 tsp. instant yeast

Combine water, milk, oil, honey, salt, gluten, and lecithin.
Add half of the flour. Mix thoroughly.
Add yeast and enough flour to make a soft dough. (Be on the safe side and don't add too much)
Let it sit for 10-20 minutes to fully hydrate the flour. (If you don't do this step, you may end up with dry crumbly bread)
With your dough hook mix on low speed for 5 mins. If the dough doesn't pull away from the sides of the pan, add more flour a couple tbs at a time. Your total kneading time should be about 8 mins.
Your dough should be tacky not sticky and not dry. Tacky means the dough doesn't stick to your fingers but it does feel moist.
Place in an oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap.
Let rise until doubled in size.
Divide and shape into 2 loaves. Let rise again
Bake at 400 for 25-30 minutes. You bay brush the top with an egg wash and sprinkle with poppy or sesame seeds the last five minutes of baking.

Enjoy