French Bread

Name: French Bread
Yield: 12 +
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons dry yeast; 1/2 cup warm water; 2 cups warm water*; 3 tablespoons sugar; 1 tablespoon (yes tablespoon!) sea or Kosher salt; 5 tablespoons Olive oil, Canola or vegetable oil*; 6 cups flour (4 cups bread flour and 1 1/2-2 cups All Purpose); 1 egg *optional, beaten- for glazing bread