Italian Sesame Bread Food

SICILIAN SESAME SEED BREAD

Steps:

• In a large glass measuring cup, dissolve the sugar and yeast in 2 cups of the warm water. Let stand, covered for 5 minutes, or until foamy.
• Add 2 cups of flour and salt to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook. Add the yeast mixture and mix until a dough starts to form. Add 2 more cups of flour and let mix until a smooth ball of dough is formed. It too wet, add 1 -2 tablespoons more flour. Do not let the dough get to dry. It should be slightly sticky. Let knead for about 5-10 minutes in total.
• Place the dough in a large oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let it rise until doubled about 2 hours. (I usually place in my oven with the light on).
• On a floured board, punch down the dough, divide it in half and shape two thick loaves or four baguettes.
• Transfer loaves a floured baker's couche or large cotton dish towel. Cover the loaves and let rise in a warm place for about 2 hours until doubled again in size.
• Preheat the oven at 450 degrees for 30 minutes. Place a cast iron skillet on the bottom rack and let heat as well.
• When ready to bake, mix the egg and water to make a wash. Brush the egg wash over the loaves and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
• Place the loaves on baking sheet or a french loaf baking pans.
• Put the baking pan on the middle rack.
• Add 10 ice cubes to the cast iron pan. This will create the steam for a great crust. Add 4-6 more cubes halfway through for more steam.
• Cook for 35 minutes until the bread is a nice golden brown.
• Let the bread cool before slicing.

SESAME FRENCH BREAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add the sugar, oil, salt and 4 cups of flour; beat until smooth. Add enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. , Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. , Punch dough down. Divide in half. Roll each half into a 15x10-in. rectangle. Roll up from a long side; seal well. Place with seam side down on greased baking sheet sprinkled with cornmeal. , Beat egg white and water; brush over loaves. Sprinkle with sesame seeds. Cover with plastic wrap sprayed with cooking spray; let rise until nearly doubled, about 30 minutes. , With a sharp knife, make 4 shallow diagonal cuts across top. Bake at 400° until lightly browned, about 25 minutes. Remove from pan and cool on a wire rack.

ITALIAN SESAME BREAD

Steps:

• Mix and knead all of the dough ingredients by hand, mixer, bread machine or food processor until you've made a smooth, elastic dough. Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, turn to coat, cover, and allow it to rise for 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
• Gently deflate the dough, and divide it into three equal pieces. Roll each piece into a 20-inch log, tapering the ends slightly. Place the logs on a lightly greased or parchment lined baking sheet. Braid them loosely; pinch the ends together, and tuck them under.
• Brush some of the beaten egg white over the braid; reserving the remainder. Cover the braid and allow it to rise for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, until it's almost doubled in size.
• Preheat your oven to 400° degrees. Brush the braid again with some of the remaining egg white and sprinkle with the sesame seeds. Bake the braid for 20 to 25 minutes, until it's golden brown. (Tent it lightly with aluminum foil after 15 minutes, if it appears to be browning too quickly.).
• Remove the braid from the oven, and cool it on a wire rack.

SEMOLINA AND SESAME GRISSINI (BREADSTICKS)

Steps:

• Place 1/4 cup warm water in a small bowl with the yeast and a pinch of sugar. Stir to dissolve and let stand to proof, 5-7 minutes. If it is not foamy by then, the yeast is dead; get new yeast and start again.
• Place semolina and all-purpose flours in work bowl of a stand mixer with the dough hook attachment. Add the salt, and 2 tbsp of sesame seeds. Mix briefly to combine.
• Make a well in the pile of flour and add the proofed yeast, the remaining water, and the olive oil. Start the mixer on low speed until everything comes together and starts to get smooth, about 2 minutes. Increase to medium and knead another 2-3 minutes, until it begins to look velvety and pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
• Turn dough out onto a lightly floured board and knead by hand until smooth and elastic (about 30 turns, about 1 minute). Grease a clean mixing bowl with olive oil and place the dough into it, turning the dough over to coat both sides.
• Cover with plastic wrap and set in a warm, dark spot until it triples in volume, about 2 1/2 hours. (Alternatively, place dough in an oiled, airtight plastic container at least twice the size of the dough mass and refrigerate overnight. Bring to room temperature before proceeding).
• Preheat oven to 400°F Coat 2 baking sheets each with 1 1/2 to 2 tbsp olive oil.
• Turn dough out onto a lightly floured board. Cut dough in 6 equal pieces. Cover the unused pieces with a damp kitchen towel.
• Cut each piece into 4 or 5 equal pieces, each about the size of a medium walnut (3/4 to 1 ounce each). Using both hands, roll each piece against the board until it forms a 12 to 14 inch rope. Do not flour the board; the stickiness helps the dough stretch out.
• Place the rope on the baking sheet, rolling it to coat with oil. Spaced 1/2 inch apart, each sheet should hold 10 to 12 breadsticks.
• When all the breadsticks are made, coat with sesame seeds: pour the seeds into a long narrow pile, as long as the bread sticks and twice as wide. Starting with the first breadstick (which will be most relaxed and easiest to work with), roll each breadstick in the sesame seeds, coating well, then return it to the sheet pan. Sprinkle each with a bit of kosher salt and let rest 10 minutes.
• Bake 14-20 minutes. Halfway through, turn each sheet pan 180° in the oven, and swap racks, to ensure even browning. They are done when they are an even light golden brown (the ends may be a little darker). Cool completely on the baking sheets. Store in an airtight container up to 2 weeks.