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Hi everyone! Today I want to share with you my love for Crusty Italian Bread. It’s one of my favorite foods and I always get excited when I get to bite into a warm and crunchy loaf.
I remember the first time I tried Crusty Italian Bread. I was on a trip to Italy and I was in awe of all the amazing food I was trying for the first time. I ordered a sandwich at a little deli, and the bread was the star of the show. It was so crusty on the outside and soft on the inside, and the flavor was just incredible. I was hooked from that moment on.
Since then, I’ve been on a mission to recreate that amazing bread at home. I’ve tried so many recipes, but nothing seemed to come close to that perfect loaf I had in Italy. That is, until I discovered the secret to making the perfect Crusty Italian Bread.
It all starts with the ingredients. You want to use high-quality flour, yeast, salt, and water. The key to getting that perfect crust is to let the bread rise and then bake it in a hot oven. This will create a beautiful golden crust that is crispy and crunchy.
I love to make this bread on weekends when I have some extra time. There’s something so satisfying about the process of making bread from scratch. It’s a slow process, but it’s worth it. I love the smell of the bread baking in the oven and the way it makes my whole house smell amazing.
Once the bread is done, I like to let it cool for a few minutes before slicing into it. I love the sound of the crust cracking as I cut into it. The inside is soft and fluffy, and the flavor is just incredible. I love to eat it on its own, or toasted with a little bit of butter.
Crusty Italian Bread is not just delicious, it’s also versatile. You can use it for sandwiches, dips, or even as a side dish with soup or stew. The possibilities are endless.
In conclusion, I hope I’ve inspired you to give Crusty Italian Bread a try. It may seem like a lot of work, but trust me, it’s worth it. The process of making bread from scratch is so rewarding, and the end result is just amazing. If you’re looking for a new baking project, give this a try. You won’t be disappointed.
And until next time, happy baking!
Crusty Italian Bread
Ingredients
- 1 1/3 cups of warm water
- 2 1/4 teaspoons of yeast
- 1 tablespoon of brown sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons of olive oil
- 4 cups of flour
Instructions
- Combine warm water, yeast, and brown sugar in a mixing bowl. Stir until it starts to bubble and foam.
- Add olive oil and salt, then gradually mix in the flour until the dough comes away from the sides of the bowl. Knead with a dough hook for a few minutes.
- Cover and let the dough rise for about 30 minutes until it doubles in size.
- Punch down the dough, divide into two, and form into loaves. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise again until doubled.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Beat together 1 egg and 1 tablespoon of water, and brush over the risen loaves. Make a single long quick cut down the center of each loaf.
- Place a shallow pan with at least 1 cup of hot water on the rack underneath the bread in the oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown and hollow when tapped. Add more water to the pan during cooking if needed.
- Once done, remove from the pan and let cool on racks. Rub butter over the hot crust for added flavor.
The water needed to be hotter as my yeast did not bubble or foam. Loaves turned out flat. Still tastes good but dense. Will try again.
I’ve never made bread without the assist if my bread maker. Super easy and it came out awesome. Definitely will make again and again.