Italian Bread In Food Processor

FABULOUS HOMEMADE BREAD FOR THE FOOD PROCESSOR

Steps:

• Pour the warm water into a large bowl, and whisk in 4 teaspoons of bread flour, the yeast, and the white sugar until thoroughly combined and the sugar has dissolved. Allow to stand until the yeast starts to form creamy bubbles, about 5 minutes.
• Fit a dough blade into a large food processor, and place 3 1/2 cups of bread flour, the oats, whole wheat flour, salt, brown sugar, and vegetable oil into the work bowl. Start the food processor running, and slowly add enough of the water-yeast mixture to allow the dough to form a firm ball and pull away from the sides of the processor, about 1 minute. Process for another 30 seconds to knead.
• Place the dough into an oiled bowl, and turn to coat the dough with oil. Cover with a damp cloth, and allow the dough to rise until doubled, about 1 hour. Punch down the dough, and divide into 2 equal-sized pieces. Form each piece into a loaf; pinch the seams and ends closed.
• Grease 2 4x8-inch loaf pans, and place the loaves into the pans with the seam sides down. Allow to rise until the dough is 1 inch above the rim of the pans, about 1 more hour.
• While dough is rising, preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Bake in the preheated oven until the tops are browned, about 35 minutes. Allow bread to cool in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto cooling racks to finish cooling.

BREAD MACHINE ITALIAN BREAD

Steps:

• Place water, bread flour, sugar, salt, olive oil and active dry yeast in the pan of the bread machine in the order recommended by the manufacturer.
• If you have a Italian Bread cycle, press that. If you don't, select Basic Bread cycle. Press Start.
• The machine will now make the bread. Once it's done baking, remove from the machine and serve.

BASIC ITALIAN BREAD

Steps:

• Place the water and yeast in the bowl of an electric mixer and allow the yeast to bloom for about 5 minutes. Using a dough hook attachment, add the flour and sugar to the water and mix on low speed until a dough starts to form. Drizzle the oil and salt into the dough and beat on medium speed for 8 to 10 minutes, or until a smooth, firm, elastic dough is formed.
• Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl and spray the dough with a thin coating of cooking spray. Wrap the bowl with plastic wrap and set aside to proof in a warm, draft-free place for 11/2 hours or until doubled in size. Remove the plastic wrap, punch down and flatten the rounded dough with the heel of your hand. Roll the dough up tightly, sealing the seam well after each roll. The dough should be elongated and oval-shaped, with tapered and rounded (not pointed) ends.
• Preheat the oven lined with a pizza stone to 425 degrees F. Alternately, an inverted baking sheet may be used in place of a pizza stone.
• Place the dough on a baker's peel heavily dusted with semolina flour, or cornmeal, or alternately on an inverted baking sheet. Allow the dough to proof, loosely covered with a damp towel, for 30 minutes, or until doubled in size. Brush the dough with the egg white and sprinkle the sesame seeds over the top. Using a razor blade or sharp knife, score 3 (1/4-inch deep) slashes across the top of the dough at a 45 degree angle.
• Spray the dough generously with water from a water bottle and place in the oven on the baking stone. Immediately close the oven and bake for 3 minutes. Open the oven door and spray the dough again with the water bottle. Close the oven door and bake for an additional 3 minutes before spraying the dough for a third time (the spraying of the dough will ensure a crisp golden brown crust). Bake the dough for 45 minutes, or until a hollow thud is heard when the bread is whacked with the bowl of a wooden spoon. Allow the bread to cool slightly before serving.

SOFT ITALIAN BREAD TWISTS

Steps:

• In a food processor, combine the sugar, 3/4 teaspoon salt, yeast and 2 cups flour. Cover and process for 5-10 seconds. While processing, gradually add warm water and oil in a steady stream. Process for 1 minute or until smooth and elastic. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water or flour if needed. , Turn onto a floured surface. Roll into a 15x12-in. rectangle. Cut into 12 strips. Fold each strip in half lengthwise; twist each strip several times. Pinch ends to seal. Place 2 in. apart on a greased baking sheet. , In a small bowl, combine the butter, garlic powder, paprika and remaining salt. Brush some over dough. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning or Parmesan cheese if desired. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 25 minutes. , Bake at 425° for 6-8 minutes or until golden brown. Brush with remaining butter mixture.

FOOD PROCESSOR LOAF BREAD

Steps:

• Combine water, sugar and yeast in a small bowl and set aside.
• Using steel blade, place flour and salt in bowl of food processor. Pour in yeast mixture through chute; process till dough forms ball.
• Break dough apart and reprocess 2 or 3 times.
• Place dough in BUTTERED bowl; turn dough in bowl to butter all sides.
• Cover and let rise about 1 hour, till doubled in size.
• Punch down, shape into loaf and place in greased loaf pan.
• Let rise till doubled (about 45 minutes).
• Bake in preheated oven (450°) 25 to 30 minutes or till golden brown.

ITALIAN BREAD USING A BREAD MACHINE

Steps:

• Place flour, brown sugar, warm water, salt, olive oil and yeast in the pan of the bread machine in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Select dough cycle; press Start.
• Deflate the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Form dough into two loaves. Place the loaves seam side down on a cutting board generously sprinkled with cornmeal. Cover the loaves with a damp cloth and let rise, until doubled in volume about 40 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• In a small bowl, beat together egg and 1 tablespoon water. Brush the risen loaves with egg mixture. Make a single long, quick cut down the center of the loaves with a sharp knife. Gently shake the cutting board to make sure that the loaves are not sticking. If they stick, use a spatula or pastry knife to loosen. Slide the loaves onto a baking sheet with one quick but careful motion.
• Bake in preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until loaves sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.

BREAD MACHINE ITALIAN BREAD (BAKED IN OVEN)

Steps:

• Place the water, flours, olive oil, salt, sugar and yeast in the bread pan in order recommended by the manufacturer.
• Place into the bread machine and set to dough cycle; press start.
• When the cycle has finished deflate the dough and remove to a lightly floured surface.
• Divide the dough evenly in half (or you may leave in one large piece).
• Cover the dough with a clean tea towel and let rest for 4-5 minutes.
• Roll up the dough, shape into two loaves, then seal the seam.
• Place the loaves spaced well apart seam-side down on a 15 x 10-inch baking sheet that has been generously sprinkled with cornmeal.
• Cover with a clean tea towel and let rise for about 40 minutes to 1 hour (be careful not to over rise your dough or it will deflate when brushing with the egg mixture and will taste yeasty after baked).
• In a small bowl whisk together egg with water.
• Brush the egg mixture gently over the loaves.
• Make one long fast slit down the middle of the dough using a very sharp small knife or a razor blade.
• Bake in a 375 degree F oven for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.
• Immediately remove the loaves to a wooden cutting board (if the loaves stick to the pan gently place a spatula underneath loaves to loosen).