Super Soft Italian Bread Food

MOM'S ITALIAN BREAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add the sugar, salt and 3 cups flour. Beat on medium speed for 3 minutes. Stir in 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 the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour., Punch dough down. Turn onto a floured surface; divide in half. Shape each portion into a loaf. Place each loaf seam side down on a greased baking sheet. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes. , Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400°. With a sharp knife, make 4 shallow slashes across top of each loaf. Bake 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool.

SUPER SOFT ITALIAN BREAD

Steps:

• Add all ingredients to a bowl or bread machine bucket, and knead until very smooth. The dough should completely clear the sides of the bowl, and not seem wet or sticky. Allow to rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk.
• Divide risen dough into two or three equal pieces (depending on whether you are making baguettes or braids) and roll gently into 10 inch logs. Allow them to rest, covered in greased plastic wrap, about 15 minutes or so. This will make them easier to work with.
• Pull them out a bit longer, to about 18 inches long. Then begin your braid, or simply shape your loaves.
• Place the loaf on a baking sheet either prepared with parchment or sprayed with cooking spray. Brush the loaf with the beaten egg. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top, pressing to help them stick.
• Cover the loaf with greased plastic wrap and allow to rise 30-60 minutes. Keep an eye on the loaf, as the pattern will be ruined if it over-rises. Towards the end of the rising time, preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
• Bake in 400 degree oven for 20 minutes for baguettes, or 30 minutes for the braid..
• Cool on a wire rack before slicing.

SOFT ITALIAN BREADSTICKS

Steps:

• In bread machine pan, place the water, butter, salt, flour, sugar, Italian seasoning, garlic powder and yeast in order suggested by manufacturer. Select dough setting (check dough after 5 minutes of mixing; add 1 to 2 tablespoons water or flour if needed). , When cycle is completed, turn dough onto a lightly floured surface; divide in half. Cut each portion into 12 pieces; roll each into a 4-in. to 6-in. rope. Place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 20 minutes. , Bake at 350° for 15-18 minutes or until golden brown. Immediately brush with butter; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Serve warm.

ITALIAN BREAD (BREAD MACHINE)

Steps:

• Add into bread machine container, warmed water, olive oil, sugar, yeast. Let yeast foam a bit.
• Dump in flour (start with 2 1/2 cups); add salt on top of flour.
• Turn on bread machine to dough setting. Watch for the first bit and add flour as needed to get a good dough. (elastic and not sticky).
• Get cookie sheet ready by lightly oiling with olive oil and sprinkle on cornmeal.
• Form dough into loaf and set on cookie sheet with tea towel to cover until doubled in size.
• Preheat oven to 375*F.
• Cut slits diagonally in loaf with sharp knife. Brush with egg white.
• Bake in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown and when you knock the bottom of bread it sounds hollow.