ITALIAN BREAD

I feel like i have been searching and searching for the perfect Italian Bread recipe....Well I think I can say I finally found it!..This bread has the perfect airy texture and bounce,,,and the perfect chew to it that I just love about home made bread...You will not be disappointed with this recipe....With this dough I cut it in half...rolled each piece into a rope and then braided the 2 pieces together...pinching and tucking the ends under...I added sesame seeds, but you don't have to....you could also make this into different shapes or add it to a loaf pan or even make rolls out of it...The choice is yours....   Be creative and ...Enjoy!!

INGREDIENTS

1 package or 2 1/4 teaspoons Active dry Yeast

1 Tablespoon Sugar

1 1/4 Cups Warm Water

1 teaspoon salt

2 1/3 Cups Flour (I used 00 flour) plus extra

2 teaspoons Olive Oil

sesame seeds and beaten egg white if adding

DIRECTIONS

Add yeast and sugar to lukewarm water and set aside

In your stand mixer add Flour and salt and with dough hook mix on low to combine

Slowly add water mixture and mix until combined...you can slowly add more flour until dough forms

You can also do this all by hand if you don't have a mixer

Transfer dough to lightly floured surface and knead for a few minutes

Add dough ball to bowl with olive oil in it and flip it to coat

Cover and let rise for 45-60 minutes or more

Remove dough and shape as you like...cover again and let rise for an additional 90 minutes or double in size

Brush with beaten egg white and sprinkle heavily with sesame seeds now if you decide to add

Bake at 350 degrees checking after 30 minutes....bake until golden brown or internal temp of 190

Remove from oven and let cool on rack 10 minutes before slicing

ITALIAN BREAD

Yield: 6-8

Author: Natalie Buscemi-Hindman

Prep time: 30 MCook time: Total time: 30 M

This is the Italian bread you have been looking for...light and bouncy texture with the perfect chew...form it the way you like braid, loaf or rolls!

Ingredients:

• 1 package or 2 1/4 teaspoons Active dry Yeast
• 1 Tablespoon Sugar
• 1 1/4 Cups Lukewarm Water
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 1/3 Cups Flour ( I used 00 flour) Plus extra
• 2 teaspoons Olive Oil (for bowl to rise)

beaten egg white and sesame seeds if adding

Instructions:

How to cook ITALIAN BREAD

1. Add yeast and sugar to warm water and set aside
2. in a mixing bowl add flour and salt and stir
3. Slowly add yeast mixture to flour either by hand or in stand mixer with dough hook mix until dough forms...adding more flour as needed
4. When ball forms place it on a lightly floured surface and knead for a few minutes
5. Add dough ball to a bowl with the 2 teaspoons of olive oil then flip it to coat other side
6. Cover bowl with  a towel and let rise for 45-60 minutes. or more..Preheat oven to 350...remove dough from bowl and shape as you like...you can cut in half roll each piece into a rope and braid it on a  greased baking sheet  or add to a greased loaf pan or make into rolls ... if adding sesame seeds brush with beaten egg white and sprinkle heavily with sesame seeds now if adding
7. Bake in oven checking after 30 minutes...baking until golden brown or an internal temp of 190 degrees...Remove and let cool on rack for 10 minutes before slicing

Created using The Recipes Generator