Italian Bread

I adapted this recipe from a site I found the other day here and boy am I glad I did. This bread is wonderful. It's the kind that you want to eat the whole loaf.
I served this with the new Chicken Parmesan recipe I saw on "Best Thing I ever Ate" It was something Emeril had in NYC. I'll post that soon.

Printable
Ingredients:
2 Pkgs rapid rise or instant yeast
1 3/4 cup warm water 115-125
2 TBL sugar
2 1/2 tsp salt
4 1/4 - 4 3/4 cups flour *I used 2 cups bread flour 2 1/2 cups ap flour*
2 TBL vegetable oil
In the large bowl of mixer, place yeast, sugar, salt and two cups of flour. (I used 1 cup AP flour 1 cup bread flour) Mix to blend and add the 130 degree F water and oil. Mix on medium speed with regular beater for 3 minutes. Insert dough hook and beat for another 6:30 minutes, adding flour as needed to keep dough from being sticky.
Place dough on a floured board, cover with a cloth, and let rest for 10 minutes. Punch down dough and form into two long narrow loaves. Place loaves on a greased pan or parchment lined, cover and let rise in a warm place for 30-45 minutes.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Before placing loaves in oven, brush tops with egg whites and sprinkle sesame seeds on top . Cut three to five slashes in the top with a serrated knife. Place loaves in oven and bake for approximately 25 minutes. Remove to a wire rack to cool.

Hope you take the time to try this bread you won't be sorry. Also thanks for taking time to stop by. Remember to find the time to do ALL the things YOU love.
Donna

Herb Italian Bread

This is the bread I made for the  Italian Feast.  The recipe is very simple and can be made with or without these herbs or  herbs you might like to add.
The recipe was adapted from All recipes. com.
Printable Recipe

  Ingredients:

3 cups unbleached flour 1 tablespoon light brown sugar 1 1/3 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C) 1 1/2 teaspoons salt 3/4 cup grated asiago cheese

1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil 1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast 1 tsp. minced fresh thyme 1 tsp. minced fresh sage 2 gloves of garlic mashed and made into paste 1 egg 1 tablespoon water 2 tablespoons cornmeal

Heat water to about 115 degrees, add the yeast and let proof for about 5 minutes.  Add the sugar, salt, oil, herbs, cheese and flour and mix in stand mixer .  Add more flour if needed.  Place in greased bowl until doubled. (about and hr)  Knock down and shape into loaves and place on parchment paper that was sprinkled with cornmeal and place  on a peel or cookie sheet upside down. (that way you can slide it onto the pizza stone very easily.  When ready slice the top with 3 cuts.
About 30 minutes before you're ready to cook the bread, place your pizza stone in the oven and heat to 375.  After 30 minutes put bread in, use a spray bottle and spray the inside of oven and do this again in about 3 minutes. and cook for about 30-35 minutes until gold brown.  The spraying will give your bread a wonder crust and will be tender on the inside.  Cool *if you can wait* and cut and serve.
Thanks for stopping by.  Have a wonderful day and Remember to Find the time to do ALL the things YOU love.
Donna