Aunt Mary’s French Bread

Combine yeast and the lukewarm water. Pour boiling water over the shortening, sugar and salt. Cool to lukewarm. Add 2 cups of flour and beat until smooth. Mix in the softened yeast. Add the rest of the flour, knead until smooth and satiny. Placed in well greased bowl and let rise. Punch down. Divide into 2 portions and roll into a ball. Cover and let rise for 10 minutes.

Flatten, fold lengthwise and pull, then roll dough to about 15″ long. Fold lengthwise and seal edges. Place on a greased baking sheet and let rise until doubled. Make diagonal slices on the top 1/8″ deep. Brush the top with an egg yolk or egg white beaten slightly with 1 teaspoon water. Bake at 400 degrees for 25 minutes. Remove and put on a cake rack as soon as leaving oven.