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Rustic Italian Bread Recipe: Bake Perfect Loaves Today!

Rustic Italian Bread Recipe

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A simple and delicious recipe for making rustic Italian bread at home, perfect for any meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups warm water
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast

Instructions

  1. In a bowl, dissolve sugar in warm water and sprinkle yeast on top. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour and salt.
  3. Add the yeast mixture to the flour and mix until a dough forms.
  4. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  5. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours until doubled in size.
  6. Punch down the dough and shape it into a round loaf.
  7. Place the loaf on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and let it rise for another 30-45 minutes.
  8. Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C).
  9. Make a few slashes on the top of the loaf with a sharp knife.
  10. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and hollow sounding when tapped.
  11. Let the bread cool on a wire rack before slicing.

Notes

  • For a crustier bread, place a pan of water in the oven while baking.
  • Experiment with adding herbs or olives for different flavors.
  • Store bread in a paper bag to keep the crust crispy.

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