Description
This is a basic delicious Italian bread.
Ingredients
- 3 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
- 1 teaspoon white sugar
- 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 7 cups all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Add the sugar and yeast to the warm water and let proof.
- Stir in 4 cups of flour and beat until smooth. Cover and let rest for 15 minutes.
- Beat in the salt and then add enough remaining flour to make a stiff dough. Knead until as soft and smooth as a bambino’s behind. Turn in a greased bowl
- cover
- and let rise until doubled in size. (I put it in the oven with the light on—perfect rising temperature.)
- Once doubled
- punch down and divide into three. Place back in the bowl
- cover
- and let rise.
- Once doubled again
- punch down and form into three fat “footballs.” Grease heavy cookie sheets and sprinkle with corn meal. Place the bread on the sheets
- cover with a towel
- and let rise.
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
- Mist loaves with water and place in the preheated oven. Bake until loaves are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom
- 25 to 30 minutes. Mist loaves with water and turn occasionally while they bake.
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 1 hr
Total Time: 2 hrs 50 mins
Servings: 36