ITALIAN BREAD RECIPE BY TASTY

Italian Bread Recipe by Tasty image

Provided by John Osborne

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

Steps:

Mix ½ cup (120 ml) of warm water with yeast and sugar in a separate bowl and let bloom for 10 minutes.
In the bowl of a stand mixer (or separate bowl if you don't have one), mix flour, salt, olive oil, and yeast mixture in a bowl until combined.
Slowly add water to the flour mixture while mixing on the second speed setting (or while mixing by hand if no stand mixer is being used) until a dough forms.
Knead for 5 minutes in a stand mixer or 8-10 minutes by hand.
Place in a greased bowl and cover with lid or damp towel and place in a room temp oven for 1 hour.
Flour a work surface, deflate dough, and turn out onto said surface and form into a tight ball.
Cut the dough ball into two pieces and work into two 12-14 inch (30 cm - 35 cm) loaves and place onto a baking pan dusted with flour.
Cover dough with plastic wrap or damp towel and place back in the oven for 30 minutes.
Remove the baking tray and place in a room temperature place and preheat the oven to 410°F with a baking or pizza stone placed in the middle of the oven.
Once heated, score loaves with a sharp knife, razor, or bread lame diagonally every three inches.
Crack the egg into a bowl and whisk till scrambled and brush each loaf with the egg wash generously.
Place the baking sheet in the oven for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown and delicious.
Cool on a wire rack until fully cooled.
Serve with olive oil, minced or grated garlic, balsamic vinegar, and grated parmesan cheese.