1 package yeast
2 cups lukewarm water
1 1/4 tablespoons salt
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
5 or 6 cups all-purpose flour

Add yeast to water, then add salt and sugar. Stir until the yeast dissolves. Beat the flour into the yeast water, a cup at a time, using a wooden spoon to stir. Add as much flour as you need to make a smooth dough. Knead until smooth. Brush top and sides with oil and cover the dough with a towel. Let stand in a warm place to rise until double in bulk.

Turn the dough onto a floured bread board and shape into long French loaves. Place the loaves on a baking sheet sprinkled with cornmeal and let stand to rise for 5 minutes.

Slash the tops of the loaves in several places, brush them with water and place in a cold oven.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Place a pan of boiling water in the oven with the loaves and bake them for 45 minutes, or until crusty done.