PANE ITALIANO

Pane Italiano image

Provided by C G @Celestina9000

Number Of Ingredients 4

6 ounce(s) warm water (not too hot though!)
1 teaspoon(s) active dry yeast
2 cup(s) unbleached flour (i replace 2/3 cup of white unbleached flour with whole wheat flour)
1 teaspoon(s) salt

Steps:

Place the water and active dry yeast in the mixing bowl. Let sit for 5 minutes.
Add the flour and salt. KNEAD for a few minutes until the dough is elastic and not sticky.
Allow dough to rest for 45 minutes covered in the mixing bowl.
Shape the dough into a long loaf or round ball and place on a parchment lined baking sheet.
Let rise in a warm oven for 45 minutes.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Once the oven is to temperature slash the dough on top with a sharp knife and lightly dust with flour. (I also added a sprinkle of kosher salt to the top.)
Bake for 30 minutes, turning the pan around at the fifteen minute mark. Bake until browned and bread sounds hollow when tapped. For a 1 1/2 pound loaf you will need: 3 cups flour, 9 ounces warm water, 1 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt. For an automatic bread machine: Place everything in the bread pan in order suggested in your ABM manual.