Recipe: Mama D's Italian Bread

Mama D's Italian Bread

3 cups warm water
1 tbsp. yeast
1/2 tsp. sugar
1 tbsp. salt
6-8 cups unbleached flour

Dissolve the sugar in the water, then sprinkle in the yeast to proof. Once proofed, add the salt and 4 cups of flour and beat until smooth - and beyond (I find that the more I beat the dough at this point, the lighter the bread is). Add in enough flour to make a good stiff dough, then knead until smooth and soft as a bambino's behind.

Grease a good sized bowl and turn the bread over in it, lightly greasing all sides. I usually sprinkle the top with a bit of flour, then cover with plastic wrap. Leave to rise until doubled in a warm place. When doubled, punch down and divide into three parts. Briefly knead each, return to bowl, cover again and let rise. When doubled, pre-heat oven to 450 degrees. (I have a baking tile which I use for this bread, but good, heavy pans work well too).

Knead gently and shape the dough into three "footballs". Place on a large, lightly greased baking sheet which has been sprinkled with corn meal (or two smaller ones). Cover with a cloth and let rise until doubled.

Just before popping in the oven, score the bread with a sharp knife very lightly down the middle and mist bread with water. Turn the bread and mist every 5 min. (approximately 3 times) until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.