Kristi's Easy French Bread

Combine 3 cups flour and yeast in a mixer. Add warm water, then shortening. Add sugar and salt after well combined. Gradually add 2 - 2 1/2 cups more flour, until bread starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl. Knead for 10 minutes by hand, or 5 minutes with a dough hook. Divide in 2 and form loaves into the shape you want (round or oval). Cut lines 1/4 inch deep for decoration on top of loaves. Place loaves on a pan that' s been lightly sprayed. Let loaves rise until double the size ( 1 1/2 hours). Bake at 350 deg F for 30 minutes.