mary's french bread

We had the best Relief Society meeting last week.  Mary came and showed bread making.  She taught everyone how to make french bread and provided lots of different kinds of breads and rolls for us to sample with some soups that I brought.  

mary's french bread
2 1/2 cups very warm water
2 tablespoons sugar
just under 1 tablespoon salt
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons yeast
5-6 cups flour (she uses bread flour but you can use all-purpose if you want to)

Using a Kitchen Aid mixer, mix sugar, salt, olive oil and water.  Mix in yeast and let foam, 5-10 minutes.  When foamy, add flour til pulling away from sides of the bowl.  Let rise for 10 minutes, then punch down.  Repeat this 4 more times for a total of 5 punch downs.  Empty dough on floured surface and divide into 4 pieces.  Shape as desired (Mary made 2 rounds and 2 loaves of French bread) and let rise for about 30 minutes.  Brush top of bread with olive oil and sprinkle with salt.  Snip dough with scissors if you want a decorative touch.  Bake in preheated 375 degree oven for 15-18 minutes.  Bread will be browned and sound hollow when tapped.