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

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BISCOTTI

Biscotti is something I have always wanted to try and make...I just always thought they would be very difficult....Well having a little time on my hands I thought I would tackle them...and I am so glad I did...This is a very simple recipe that you can be creative with and add what you like...I made mine using dried apricots that I diced along with almond extract...If I would have had some sliced almonds on hand I would have added those...next time I will...I have to tell you this combination was so good...I also think dried cherries or cranberries would be a good choice also...I did also make a batch with no fruit and Anise extract...this are the Biscotti I remember as a young girl...Like I said you can make these with all your favorite things...or even dip half in melted chocolate!....These will now also be a nice addition to my Holiday baking...well here is how I made these...Enjoy!!

INGREDIENTS

4 Tablespoons cold butter (sliced into pieces)

3/4 Cups granulated Sugar

2 Eggs

1 teaspoon Extract your choice(almond, anise)

1/2 teaspoon Vanilla extract

2 Cups All purpose Flour

1 teaspoon Baking Powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 Cup dried diced fruit of your choice

1/2 Cup nuts of your choice

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Add butter slices to mixing bowl with paddle attachment...start mixing then add granulated sugar....add egg and mix until very smooth

You can now add extracts

In a separate bowl add flour, baking powder and salt...give it a stir and then start adding it slowly to butter mixture..until dough forms

Once dough forms remove and add to lightly floured surface and give it a few kneads until smooth

Cut ball in half and add them to your lightly greased or parchment lined or silpat lined baking sheet

You can now begin to form each half into a 10 x 4 inch log...wetting fingers if needed

Bake logs for 20 minutes until lightly golden...once done remove and let cool about 10 minutes...you can now turn your oven to Broil setting

Using a sharp knife start cutting on a diagonal about 1 inch wide...place each cookie on its side and Broil for a few minutes...watching very closely until lightly toasted...when don...turn over and toast other side

Remove  and let cool...Enjoy!!

BISCOTTI

Yield: 20 pieces

Author: Natalie Buscemi-Hindman

This is a classic Biscotti recipe that you can add what you like to...be creative and add your favorites to this basic recipe!....This can also be easily doubled if you need a large batch...Enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 4 Tablespoons cold butter (sliced in pieces)
• 3/4 Cups Granulated Sugar
• 2 Eggs
• 1 teaspoon extract of your choice (almond, anise)
• 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• 2 Cups all Purpose Flour
• 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt
• OPTIONAL
• 1 Cup diced dried fruit of your choice (I used diced dried apricots along with almond extract for mine)
• 1/2 Cup nuts of your choice
• You can also dip cookie half way in melted chocolate
• You can be creative and add what you like to this basic biscotti recipe!

Instructions:

How to cook BISCOTTI

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Add cold sliced butter to mixing bowl, using the paddle attachment start mixing butter and add granulated sugar mixing well
3. Pour in the 2 eggs and keep mixing until very creamy...you can now add your extracts
4. In separate bowl add flour , baking powder and salt and stir together....you can now begin adding flour mixture slowly into wet mixture mixing until dough forms
5. Once it is all mixed you can remove dough onto very lightly floured surface...knead a few minutes and roll into a smooth ball
6. Cut dough ball in half and place on either a greased or parchment lined baking sheet...or silpat baking mat
7. Start forming ball by patting down into about a 10 x 4 rectangle log
8. Once formed ...bake in oven for 20 minutes
9. Remove from oven once lightly golden and let cool about 10 minutes
10. Turn oven to Broil setting....Using a sharp knife start slicing in a diagonal to get about 1 inch pieces..(If using silpat remove from that to slice then return to pan to broil )
11. Placing cookies on side place into oven to Broil...lightly toasting...watching carefully this may only take a few minutes...when done on one side...turn over to toast other side...again watching carefully
12. Let cookies cool and Enjoy!!

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Simple Dutch Oven Bread

I have really been enjoying making breads and rolls lately...In the past I wasn't real confident with using Yeast,  after some practice I do feel a lot more confident now...making sure I always have a stockpile of it to experiment!...Now I am trying a lot of different recipes!...This Dutch oven bread was a really simple one to prepare..You can also add sesame seeds if you prefer...This can be made in a Dutch oven(which needs to be preheated) or Pyrex bowls....This recipe makes 2 round loaves...I haven't tried it in a loaf pan yet...but I don't see why it couldn't be ..And I did use 00 flour, because I pretty much use it for everything..but All purpose is fine also...Here is how you prepare this bread...Enjoy!

INGREDIENTS

4 Cups 00 Flour or All purpose

2 teaspoons salt

2 Cups Warm water

2 teaspoons instant yeast

2 teaspoons sugar

DIRECTIONS

1. Add yeast and sugar to water,  stir and set aside

2. To a mixing bowl add flour and salt...whisk together to combine

3. Slowly add water mixture to flour mixture and mix until dough forms...add dough to floured surface and knead until smooth...using flour as needed..add dough ball to greased bowl, cover with tea towel and let rise for 1 hour..you can now preheat oven to 425 and add your dutch oven to preheat

4. Once dough has risen, punch down, then divide into 2 pieces

forming each into a ball...You can also make this into 1 loaf if you like and you can also do a second rise for an hour before baking if you prefer

5. Add each ball to either 2 greased Pyrex bowls( making sure they are oven safe) You can take a knife and slice a cross in dough ball before baking or brush with egg wash and add sesame seeds 

if using Dutch oven...remove from oven place dough ball on parchment paper long enough to grab each side and place in dutch oven (if the knob on your lid is not oven safe remove it),.....Bake with lid at 425 for 20 minutes....then lower oven to 375 remove lid and bake for 20-25 minutes longer until done and browned on top

Author: Natalie Buscemi-Hindman

Simple Dutch Oven Bread

This is an easy one rise (or 2) bread that you can bake in your Dutch Oven or a Pyrex bowl

Ingredients:

• 4 cups 00 flour or All purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons Salt
• 2 cups Warm water
• 2 teaspoons Instant yeast
• 2 teaspoons Sugar

Instructions:

How to cook Simple Dutch Oven Bread

1. Add yeast and sugar to water, stir and set aside
2. To a mixing bowl add flour and salt..whisk together to combine
3. Slowly add water mixture to flour and salt and mix until dough forms...add dough to floured surface and knead until smooth..using flour as needed ...add dough ball to greased bowl, then turn over to coat other side...cover with tea towel and let rise for 1 hour, you can now preheat oven to 425 and add your dutch oven to heat
4. Once dough has risen, punch down then divide into 2 pieces, forming each into a ball or keep as 1 piece if you like ...you can also do a second rise for an hour before baking if you prefer
5. Add each ball to either 2 greased Pyrex oven safe bowls or if using dutch oven...remove it from oven, place dough ball on a piece of parchment paper long enough to grab each side and place in dutch oven (if knob on your lid is not oven safe, remove it...you can make an X with a knife on top of dough ball and brush with egg wash and add sesame seeds if you like
6. Bake with lid at 425 for 20 minutes...then lower oven to 375 remove lid and bake for 20-25 minutes until done and browned on top

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PIZZA DOUGH

Well I can actually say I feel like Pizza is my life and in my blood...My Dad started his first Pizza and Delicatessen back in 1956...He was a real trail blazer selling his 24 piece Sicilian style square pizza  trays by the slice...Buscemi's Pizza stores to this day are still following his lead even though he is no longer with us...although this dough isn't the actual recipe he used...it is a very good dough that I use all the time now..Our family loves Pizza and my husband and I host Pizza Party's for the family all year long!...Dad would be proud!....Here is my recipe...Enjoy!

INGREDIENTS

5 Cups Flour ( I use 00 flour but all purpose is fine)

1 1/2 teaspoons Salt

2 1/4 Cups Warm Water

1 1/2 teaspoons Yeast

1 Tablespoon Olive Oil

1 Tablespoon Sugar

DIRECTIONS

1. Add flour and salt to a mixing bowl, whisk together and set aside

2. To the warm water add yeast, sugar and olive oil.. mix with a fork.. let set for a few minutes to let it foam up and for yeast to activate

3. Slowly add water and yeast mixture to flour and salt....mix until incorporated...use your judgement...if too sticky add a little more flour.. if too dry add a little more warm water...

4. Once dough is nice consistency turn onto a floured surface and knead until a nice ball forms...add ball to a greased bowl, cover with a towel and let rest for an hour or 2 or until it doubles in size...punch dough down and it is ready to use as you like!

One of the many pizza creations

Our Propane Pizza Grill we use

My Mom and Dad's Jarred Pizza sauce is what we use!

My Dad Paul Buscemi and his famous tray of Sicilian square pizza

Pizza Dough

Yield: 4 doughs

Author: Natalie Buscemi-Hindman

Prep time: Cook time: Total time:

This is the Pizza dough recipe we always use...It makes a nice size dough you can get either 4 nice size pizzas or more small single sizes

Ingredients:

• 5 Cups of 00 flour (or all purpose)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 2 1/4 cups Warm Water
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Yeast
• 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
• 1 Tablespoon Sugar

Instructions:

How to cook Pizza Dough

1. Add flour and salt to Mixing bowl and stir together ...set aside
2. Add yeast, olive oil and sugar to warm water...stir then let set until yeast gets foamy
3. Slowly add water mixer to flour and salt ...mix until well combined...if too sticky add flour...once dough ball forms place on a floured surface and knead until smooth
4. Add dough ball to greased bowl...cover with towel and let rise about one hour until it doubles in size
5. Punch dough down then it is ready to use

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Italian Sesame Cookies

These cookies remind me of one of the cookies I love from my favorite Italian Bakery...and let me tell you these taste just as good!!...I would have never thought that I could get close to them even tasting as great...but these do and I am so excited about that!....Now the wheels are spinning on what other type of cookie I can make with this dough...I will be doing some experimenting for sure....I did take a portion of this dough and made them a little bigger and while they were warm I glazed them with pink icing to try and replicate my daughters favorite Italian cookie ( I will post a pic below) These were really easy to make but the applying of the sesame seeds can be a little time consuming...But it will be so worth it!...This will also be a great cookie to add to a plate of other cookies you make and definitely a great coffee dunker!..you can also toast your sesame seeds before adding to cookie..Here is how I put these together.....Enjoy!!

INGREDIENTS

1 stick butter (softened)

1 cup sugar

3 large eggs room temp

1 teaspoon vanilla

3 cups AP flour (I used 00 flour)

3 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 3/4 cups sesame seeds (toasted if you like)

3/4 cup of milk

DIRECTIONS

1. In a mixing bowl cream butter and sugar until creamy..add 1 egg at a time beating after each addition...add vanilla. 

2. In a separate bowl combine flour, salt and baking powder...grab a whisk and give it a good stir to combine..gradually add this to the butter mixture and mix well

3. The dough may be sticky, but turn it onto a floured surface and sprinkle with more flour and knead until smooth...divide dough into 8 even portions...shape each portion into 24 inch logs. Cut into 2 inch pieces

4. Place sesame seeds and milk in separate shallow bowls...brush each log with milk then sprinkle with sesame seeds(I used a spoon)...this can get a little messy , I did this on a small dish ..then transfer each log onto a greased or parchment lined baking sheet  at least 2 inches apart

5.Bake at 350 degrees until bottoms are lightly brown 7-9 minutes...let cool in wire racks

 I kept these cookies plain..made them a little bigger then brush with pink icing while warm!

These were to go's for porch delivery's for my family!

Italian Sesame cookies

Yield: 8 dozen

Author: Natalie Buscemi-Hindman

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

Bakery style Sesame cookies...great for dunking

Ingredients:

• 1 Stick of Butter (softened)
• 1 Cup Sugar
• 3 large Eggs (room temp)
• 3 Cups All purpose flour ( I used 00)
• 3 teaspoons Baking Powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt
• 1 3/4 Cups Sesame Seeds (toasted if you like)
• 3/4 Cups Milk

Instructions:

How to cook Italian Sesame cookies

1. In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until creamy...add 1 egg at a time...beating after each addition...add vanilla
2. In a separate bowl combine flour, salt and baking powder...grab a whisk and give a stir to combine....gradually add this to the butter mixture and mix well
3. The dough may be sticky, but turn it onto a floured surface ..sprinkle with more flour and knead until smooth...divide dough into 8 even portions...shape each portion into 24 inch logs then cut into 2 inch pieces
4. Place sesame seeds and milk in separate shallow bowls....brush each log with milk then sprinkle with sesame seeds ( I used a spoon)...this can get a little mess, I did it on a small dish....transfer each one onto a greased or parchment lined baking sheet at least 2 inches apart
5. Bake at 350 degrees until bottoms are lightly brown 7-9 minutes...let cool on wire racks...Enjoy!

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