No Fail French Bread

Here's the recipe I've made for years (since I was in college).  So easy and really and truly is No Fail!

1/2 cup warm water

2 Tablespoons yeast

2 cups hot water

3 Tablespoons sugar

1 Tablespoon salt

1/3 cup shortening (oil)

6 cups flour

egg white

Dissolve yeast in warm water.  Combine hot water, sugar, salt, and oil in large bowl.   Cool to warm. Add yeast and 3 cups of flour.  Beat until smooth.  Add remaining flour to make soft dough.  Mix well.  Rest 10 minutes.  Stir dough.  Rest 10 minutes again.  Repeat a total of five times.  Knead enough on floured board to coat.  Divide into two.  Roll out and up like a jelly roll.  Rise 1/2-1 hour.  Cut slits in top.  Spread foamy egg white on top.  Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes.  *If you're running short on time, you can eliminate the rising.  It makes the bread more dense, which is also good.