Italian Bread Recipe

step 1

• STEP 1.Begin by mixing the yeast with the 1/4 cup of warm water.

step 2

• STEP 2.In a large mixing bowl, add the flour, salt and olive oil.

step 3

• STEP 3.Mix the yeast and water combination again before adding into the large bowl.

step 4

• STEP 4.Using clean hands, begin mixing the contents in the bowl, by hand.

step 5

• STEP 5.If too dry, slowly add in the extra water. Add in 1/4 cup of water at a time and mix in between.

step 6

• STEP 6.Once all of the water is added, if still too dry, add in a little bit more water.

step 7

• STEP 7.If too wet, don

step 8

• STEP 8.T worry, you can add in a little bit of flour.

step 9

• STEP 9.If your hands are sticking to the dough, dip your hands in a bowl of water before kneading the dough again.

step 10

• STEP 10.Once the dough is fully mixed, split into two, and place into two separate bowls that have been lightly sprinkled with flour.

step 11

• STEP 11.Once the dough balls are in each bowl, sprinkle a little bit of flour on top of each dough ball and cover with plastic wrap.

step 12

• STEP 12.Place a towel on top of both bowls and let sit for one hour to allow the dough to grow.

step 13

• STEP 13.After one hour, cover your hands in flour and then remove the dough from the bowl and place on your tabletop or cutting board.

step 14

• STEP 14.Roll the dough out so that it is about two to three inches thick and then place on a cutting board that has been sprinkled with flour.

step 15

• STEP 15.Cover with a towel and let it sit for 30 minutes to allow it to grow. After about 30 minutes, it grows about twice its size.

step 16

• STEP 16.Preheat the oven to 410°f with a pizza stone inside.

step 17

• STEP 17.After the 30 minutes, cut very thin slits on top of the dough, diagonally, about two inches apart.

step 18

• STEP 18.Brush the raw, scrambled egg over top the dough, to give it a beautiful color when baked.

step 19

• STEP 19.Sprinkle some semolina flour over top a pizza peel and place the bread dough on top.

step 20

• STEP 20.Slide the bread dough onto the pizza stone and let bake for 25-30 minutes.

step 21

• STEP 21.Remove from the oven and set aside for at least five minutes.

step 22

• STEP 22.Cut into slices and serve with your favorite dish or with some delicious extra virgin olive oil for dipping.

step 23