Italian Bread

Simple baking from scratch.

This is one of the simplest recipes for Italian bread I have found and it tastes delicious. This recipe makes two loaves. I usually bake one and put the other batch of dough in the freezer for later.

Ingredients:

·         ¼ oz active dry yeast

·         2 cups warm water (110-115 degrees F)

·         1 tsp sugar

·         2 tsp salt

·         5 ½ cups all-purpose flour

In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm water. If the water is too hot, it’ll kill the yeast. If it’s not warm enough, it won’t dissolve it. Use a thermometer to get the water temp. right. Let it set for 5 minutes. You don’t need to stir it.

After 5 minutes, add the sugar, salt, and 3 cups of flour. Mix for 3 minutes with either an electric mixer or by hand.

Add 2 more cups of flour and mix by hand until dough takes shape.

Put the remaining ½ cup of flour on your counter and turn the dough out. Knead for 6-8 minutes.

Really. 6-8 minutes. Kneading produces the gluten your bread needs to rise and have great texture.

Lightly …