White Flour French Bread

This is a recipe from the Haltern family, who I grew up near in Orem. They were German and had fantastic German recipes. I remember not being fond of their Christmas cookies that always tasted sort of a few cups of sugar, but this french bread is delicious especially when it's warm.

2 Tbsp yeast
1/2 cup warm water
2 cups hot water
3 Tbsp sugar
1 Tbsp salt
5 Tbsp oil
6 cups flour

Dissolve yeast in warm water. Combine hot water, sugar, salt and oil; add half of the flour. Mix with a wooden spoon. Stir in dissolved yeast. Add the rest of the flour. mix with a wooden spoon. Cover and set for about 50 minutes; stir every 10 minutes. Knead lightly on floured board. Form dough into loaves. Gash tops with a knife. Brush with egg white and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Let rise about 10 minutes and bake at 400 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes.