Sesame Bread

Ingredients

• 2 cups warm water (100° to 110°)
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 teaspoons sea salt
• 1 package dry yeast (about 2 1/4 teaspoons)
• 6 cups all-purpose flour, divided (about 27 ounces)
• Cooking spray
• 1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
• 1/4 cup sesame seeds

Preparation

1. Combine 2 cups water, sugar, 2 teaspoons salt, and yeast in a large bowl, stirring with a whisk. Let stand for 5 minutes. Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups, and level with a knife. Add 5 1/2 cups flour, about 1 cup at a time, to the yeast mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms. Turn dough out onto a floured surface. Knead until dough is smooth and elastic (about 8 minutes); add enough of remaining flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, to prevent dough from sticking to hands.
2. Place dough in a large bowl coated with cooking spray, turning to coat top. Cover and let rise in a warm place (85°), free from drafts, 1 1/2 hours or until doubled in size. (Gently press 2 fingers into dough. If indentation remains, dough has risen enough.)
3. Divide the dough into 2 equal portions, shaping each portion into a 12-inch-long loaf. Place the loaves on a baking sheet sprinkled with 1/2 cup cornmeal. Lightly brush the loaves with cold water. Sprinkle evenly with 1/4 cup of sesame seeds.
4. Place a shallow pan of boiling water on the bottom rack of cold oven. Place loaves on middle rack of oven. Set oven temperature to 400°. (Do not preheat oven.) Bake for 35 minutes or until loaves sound hollow when tapped. Cool on a wire rack.