French Bread - super easy and oh, so worth it!

1 cup water 2 1/2 cups bread flour 1 1/ teaspoons yeast 1 tablespoon white sugar 1 teaspoon salt   Place water, bread flour, sugar salt and yeast into either a bread machine or a mixer.   If in a bread machine, set the bread maker for dough setting.  Otherwise mix in a mixer until it forms a dough and is mixed well.  When cycle is completed either by bread machine or in the mixer.  shape dough into a round and place in an oiled bowl.  Cover and let rise until doubled.  Dough is ready if indentation remains when touched.  Punch down dough on a lightly floured surface.  Divide dough in half and shape into a long loaf.  if you like make deep diagonal cuts across the top of the loaf, every 2 inches.  Let rise until doubled.  Then bake in a preheated oven at 375 for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.