Best Italian Bread Ii Recipes

MOM'S ITALIAN BREAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add the sugar, salt and 3 cups flour. Beat on medium speed for 3 minutes. Stir in remaining flour to form a soft dough., Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour., Punch dough down. Turn onto a floured surface; divide in half. Shape each portion into a loaf. Place each loaf seam side down on a greased baking sheet. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes. , Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400°. With a sharp knife, make 4 shallow slashes across top of each loaf. Bake 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool.

MAMA D'S ITALIAN BREAD

Steps:

• Add the sugar and yeast to the warm water and let proof.
• Stir in 4 cups of flour and beat until smooth. Cover and let rest for 15 minutes.
• Beat in the salt and then add enough remaining flour to make a stiff dough. Knead until as soft and smooth as a bambino's behind. Turn in a greased bowl, cover, and let double in size. (I put it in the oven with the light on - perfect rising temperature.)
• Once doubled, punch down and divide into three. Place back in the bowl, cover, and let rise.
• Once doubled again, punch down and form into three fat "footballs." Grease heavy cookie sheets and sprinkle with corn meal. Place the bread on the sheets, cover with a towel, and let rise.
• Once risen, mist with water and place in a preheated 450 degrees F (230 degrees C) oven. Mist loaves with water and turn occasionally while they bake. Bread is done when golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.

ITALIAN BREAD II ( SINGLE RISING)

Steps:

• Combine yeast, sugar and 1 c.
• warm water in a large bowl.
• Stir until dissolved.
• Set aside in a warm place for 1/2 hr.
• When mixture starts to bubble slightly, add butter, salt and remaining 3/4 warm water.
• Add flour 1 c at a time, beating vigorously w/ a wooden spoon.
• Continue until dough starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl.
• Turn out unto a generously floured board.
• (Dough will be sticky) Gently fold in remaining flour, kneading until the dough begins to become smooth and elastic.
• Knead for 10 minutes.
• Let sit for 5 minutes.
• Divide dough in two and roll each into a rectangle 12 x 8 inches.
• Roll up tightly lengthwise, pinching seams.
• Butter two baking sheet and sprinkle w/ cornmeal.
• Place loaves on sheets and let rise in a warm draft-free place until double (1-1 1/2 hrs) Preheat oven to 425F.
• Brush loaves w/ beaten egg while.
• Bake 40 minutes.