Italian Bread

2 cups hot water
2 Tbsp. yeast
½ cup olive oil
5 cups flour
2 tsp. yeast

Dissolve 2 Tbsp. yeast in hot water. Add olive oil, and mix in flour and 2 tsp. yeast, adjusting for proper consistency. Let rise in a warm place, covered with a cloth, for an hour, then punch it down, arrange it on a flat pan in a beautiful shape, let rise again for half an hour, and then bake at 400̊ for half an hour, then reduce heat to 300̊ and bake for another five to thirty minutes.