French Bread

I have made French Bread before, but saw this recipe that has a little less 'hands-on' time so I have been wanting to try it.
*2 TBSP. yeast
*2 1/2 c. warm water
*7 c. flour
*2 TBSP. sugar
*1 TBSP. salt

Dissolve the yeast in the water. Add salt and sugar and 2 c. of flour. Beat. Add rest of flour and knead by hand or with dough hook in mixer for 5 minutes. Rise for 30-45 min. You'll know it's done when finger indentations stay there. Punch down and knead 1 minutes. Divide into 3. Let rest 10 minutes before shaping. Sprinkle cooking sheets with corn meal. Roll dough into a rope shape about 2/3 the length of your cookie sheets. Cut diagonal slits in the top of the loaves and let rise until double (about 30 minutes). Place pan of hot water on bottom shelf of oven (this creates a steam effect to give the yummy crust, but I have also done this by misting the bread several times during the first 5 minutes of baking). Bake at 450 for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 and bake another 20-30 minutes until golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when you tap the bottom.
This took about 2 1/2 hours start to finish. It was tasty, but for some reason, I prefer the first recipe.