1/4 cup lukewarm water
1 package dry yeast
1 teaspoon sugar
1 1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup water
2 teaspoons salt
5 1/2 cups unbleached flour
1/2 cup cornmeal
Salt Solution: 1/2 cup water and 1/2 teaspoon salt. In a small bowl put in lukewarm water, add sugar and sprinkle in yeast. Stir until mixed and set in warm place. Next: Combine milk, water, salt and heat to lukewarm. Put in large bowl, add yeast mixture, then add sifted flour 1/2 cup at a time until you have put in 4 1/2 to 5 cups. Sprinkle rest of flour on the counter and knead dough for about 5 minutes. Put in greased bowl and place in warm place for 1 1/2 hours. Punch down and let rise again until doubled. Punch down again and shape into 2 long loaves. Sprinkle on long baking sheet 1/2 cup cornmeal and place loaves on cornmeal. Let rise until doubled, then make shallow slits diagonally across loaves with sharp knife. Brush gently with salt solution and bake at 400F for about 30 to 40 minutes or until brown and done. About 10 minutes before taking out, brush again with salt solution.
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