100% Whole Wheat French Bread

2 -1/4 tsp instant active dry yeast (approx 1 pkg)
1/2 cup warm water
5 -1/2 to 6 -1/2 cups fresh whole wheat flour
2 cups warmish/hot water
2 -1/2 tsp sea salt
*Dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup warm water. Stir together 5 1/2 cups flour and salt. Add yeast mixture to 2 cups water, then add to flour mixture. Begin to knead. Add additional flour if necessary. Knead by mixer for 10 minutes or by hand for 20 minutes. The dough should be soft, smooth and silky.

Let rise in a warm place for 2 hours.(an oven with the light on works well)

Gently punch down and divide into two balls.

Cover and let rest approx 5 minutes, prepare pans. To Prepare baking pans, line with parchment (or not) and dust with cornmeal.

I got a little carried away with my cornmeal, just dust where the bread will be.

Dust your work area with cornmeal to keep the dough from sticking, then shape the dough into two long, slender loaves. Place on baking sheets, allow to rise 1 hour, or until full and puffy.

I cover mine, turn oven light on and let rise in the oven.

Preheat oven to 450* and place a shallow baking pan with 1 - 2'' water on the lowest rack of your oven. Baking the bread with steam will help create a chewy, crusty bread.

Carefully cut shallow slashes in loaves if desired. Brush with egg yolk & sprinkle with Sesame seeds.

Bake at 450* for 10 minutes. Leave the pan of water in while you are baking the bread. Be careful when you open the oven door. Steam will pour out. Spritz bread with water every 5- 7 minutes during the first 15 minutes of baking to increase crusty-ness. Reduce heat to 400*, bake an additional 10 – 15 minutes. Bread is done when internal temp reaches 200*- 205* and is golden brown and crusty.

When the bread is done, slice it and serve it warm, or slice it, top with butter, garlic and cheese and broil at for 1-3 minutes or until cheese is melted.*

* My loaf pictured is a little wide and flat, I pushed too hard when cutting the slits. My loaf was nice and high before I slit it...Note to self, be gentle with the knife!