Crusty Italian Bread Recipe Food Network Recipe For Stuffed

RUSTIC ITALIAN BREAD

Steps:

• BREAD MACHINE DIRECTIONS
• PLACE all ingredients except cornmeal and egg white in bread machine pan according to manufacturer's directions. Process on DOUGH setting.
• SPRINKLE ungreased cookie sheet with cornmeal. At end of dough cycle, remove dough from machine. Place on lightly floured surface. Punch down dough. (If dough is sticky, knead in additional flour before shaping.) Cover dough with clean cloth. Let rest for 15 minutes. Shape dough into baguette-shaped loaf about 12 inches long. Place loaf on cornmeal-coated cookie sheet. Cover. Let rise in warm place (80 degrees to 85 degrees F) for 20 to 25 minutes or until light and doubled in size.
• HEAT oven to 375 degrees F. Make 1 deep lengthwise slash with sharp knife in top of loaf. Brush loaf with egg white. Bake 25 to 35 minutes or until loaf sounds hollow when lightly tapped.
• CONVENTIONAL OVEN METHOD
• SPOON flour lightly into measuring cup. Level off. Combine flour, sugar, salt and yeast in large bowl. Mix well. Add warm water and oil. Mix well. Turn dough out onto lightly floured surface. Knead dough 10 minutes or until smooth. Place dough in lightly greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and cloth towel. Let rise in warm place (80 degrees to 85 degrees F) for 30 to 40 minutes.
• SPRINKLE ungreased cookie sheet with cornmeal. Punch down dough. Cover dough with inverted bowl and allow to rest on counter 15 minutes. Shape dough into baguette-shaped loaf about 12 inches long. Place dough on cornmeal-coated cookie sheet. Cover. Let rise in warm place 35 to 40 minutes or until doubled in size.
• HEAT oven to 375 degrees F. Make 1 deep lengthwise slash with sharp knife in top of loaf. Brush loaf with egg white. Bake 25 to 35 minutes or until loaf sounds hollow when lightly tapped.
• High Altitude (3500 ft.):
• No change.

BAKED ANTIPASTO CHEESE BREAD

Steps:

• Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat to 400 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment.
• Cut the block of cheese in half lengthwise and position end to end, so that the cheese forms a long rectangle. Center the cheese rectangle on the top of the bread so there is a small border of bread around it. Using the point of a chef's knife and a back and forth sawing motion, cut into the crust following an outline 1/2 inch larger than the cheese on all sides; be careful not to cut all the way through to the bottom of the bread. Remove the cut crust and some of the loaf's interior, leaving the bottom crust and the bread on the sides intact (set aside the extra bread for breadcrumbs or another use). The cheese should fit in the cavity with about a 1/2-inch space around it and it should be about flush with the top of the bread. If not, cut and trim the cheese so it fits.
• Line the bread bowl with the prosciutto so that the meat completely covers the bottom and sides (this will stop the melted cheese from leaking as it bakes). Drape the cured meats along the sides of the cutout so that they hang over the edges of the loaf.
• Sprinkle half of the giardiniera and olives over the prosciutto. Top with the cheese blocks. Sprinkle the remaining giardiniera and olives over the top and sides of the cheese. Brush any exposed bread with oil. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet, cover with foil and bake until the cheese is completely melted and beginning to drip down the sides, 45 to 50 minutes.
• Let sit covered for 10 minutes before cutting into thick slices.

TOMATOES WITH CRUSTY BREAD

Steps:

• Toss 2 pounds tomatoes (cut into large chunks) with 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt in a colander set over a bowl; drain 15 minutes. Whisk 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar into the juices. Toss with the tomatoes and 1/4 cup chopped chives. Rub crusty bread with halved garlic cloves; toast. Serve with the tomatoes.

STUFFED PIZZA CRUST

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 475 degrees F.
• Roll and stretch out the risen dough on a floured work surface into a rope about 31 inches long. Press a rolling pin into the dough to create a trench and roll it to a rectangle about 3 inches wide.
• Keeping a 1/2-inch border on each long side of the dough, smear the remaining dough with the olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Spread the surface with a nice thin layer of the Arrabbiata Sauce, then sprinkle with the Parmesan, mozzarella and pepperoni. Arrange the string cheese pieces on top in a double line. Fold the long sides of the dough up over the center (over the string cheese) and pinch the edges together well so there's no leakage. Bring the ends together to form a circle.
• Drizzle a baking sheet with olive oil. Carefully transfer the dough circle to the prepared baking sheet, flipping it over before putting it on the sheet so the seam side is down. Brush the egg wash over the surface of the dough. Bake until the edges of the crust are golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly, about 15 minutes. Transfer to a board to rest for 10 minutes before cutting.
• Arrange the tomato slices and basil leaves in concentric circles in the middle of the pizza crust ring and serve with a dish of the remaining Arrabbiata Sauce on the side for dipping.
• Heat a pan over medium-high heat until hot and add the olive oil. Throw in the red pepper flakes and onions, give them a stir and cook until softened, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the wine, whisking to deglaze the bottom of the pan. Cook until the liquid reduces by half. Add the crushed tomatoes and Italian seasoning and stir to combine. Add a pinch of sugar and some salt. Bring to a simmer, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes.

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.

AMY'S CRUSTY ITALIAN LOAF

Steps:

• Combine the warm water and yeast in a large bowl and stir with a fork to dissolve the yeast. Let stand for 3 minutes.
• Add the cool water and sponge starter to the yeast mixture and mix with your fingers for about 2 minutes, breaking up the sponge. The mixture should look milky and slightly foamy.
• Add the flour and salt and mix with your fingers to incorporate the flour, scraping the sides of the bowl and folding the ingredients together until the dough gathers into a mass. It will be wet and sticky, with long strands of dough hanging from your fingers. If the dough is not sticky, add 1 tablespoon of water.
• Move the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes, until it becomes supple and fairly smooth. This is a sticky, wet dough; don't be tempted to add more flour to the work surface. Just dust lightly and use a dough scraper as necessary to loosen the dough from the table during kneading. Allow the dough to rest for 15 minutes, covered with oiled plastic wrap. (This rest period is the autolyse.)
• Knead the dough 3 to 5 minutes, until it is stretchy and smooth, yet still slightly sticky. Shape the dough into a loose ball, place it in a lightly oiled bowl, and turn the dough in the bowl to coat with oil. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and let the dough rise at room temperature (75 to 77 degrees) for about 1 hour, or until the dough looks slightly puffy but has not doubled.
• Place the dough in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours, or preferably, overnight to let it relax, develop flavor, and become more manageable.
• Take the dough from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 1 to 2 hours, until it begins to warm up and starts to rise.
• Flour a work surface well and gently dump the dough onto it. Divide the dough into three equal pieces, about 13 ounces each. Gently flatten one piece, pressing out some of the air bubbles, and stretch it into a rectangle. Fold the top third down and the bottom third up as if you were folding a business letter. Now form the loaf into a short baguette by rolling the dough over from left to right and sealing the seam with the heel of your palm. Fold the dough over about 1/ 3 of the way each time, seal the length of the loaf, then repeat. You want to gently draw the skin tight over the surface of the loaf while leaving some air bubbles in the dough.
• Seal the seam, being careful not to tear the skin of the dough or deflate its airy structure. Do not elongate. These loaves are about 10 inches long. Cover an area on the work surface with a thick layer of flour and place the loaf, seam side down, on the flour. Repeat with remaining pieces of dough. The loaves will be loose and slightly irregular in shape. Leave plenty of space between the loaves they will spread as they rise. Cover the loaves with well oiled plastic and let them rise for 1 to 2 hours, until bubbly and loose.
• Thirty minutes before baking, preheat the oven to 475 degrees. Place a baking stone in the oven to preheat and position an oven rack just below the stone.
• Sprinkle a peel very generously with cornmeal. Line an upsidedown baking sheet with parchment paper and sprinkle very generously with cornmeal. Lift one loaf, flip it over so the floured side is on top, and gently tug on the ends to stretch the loaf to the full length of the peel, or about 14 inches on a pan. Repeat with the remaining loaves, placing 2 on the peel and 1 on the pan. Dimple each loaf with your finger in about 6 places, but don't deflate them too much. Be sure the loaves are loosened from the peel, then carefully slide them onto the baking stone. Place the pan of bread on the rack below the stone. Using a plant sprayer, quickly mist the loaves with water 8 to 10 times, then quickly shut oven door. Mist the loaves again after 1 minute. Then mist again 1 minute later.
• Bake for about 10 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 450 degrees and bake 15 minutes longer or until the loaves sound slightly hollow when tapped on the bottom and the crust is a medium to dark brown. (If the crust is not brown enough, the loaves will soften as they cool.) Transfer the bread to a rack to cool for at least 30 minutes before serving.
• Mix all the ingredients together in a medium bowl and stir vigorously with a wooden spoon for 2 to 3 minutes until a smooth, somewhat elastic batter has formed. The batter will be very stiff; it gets softer and more elastic after it has proofed. You may find it easier to mix the sponge using an electric mixer, with a paddle or a dough hook, on medium speed for 1 to 2 minutes. Scrape the sponge into a 2-quart clear plastic container and cover with plastic wrap. At this point you have two options:
• If you plan to make your dough later that same day, let the sponge rest at room temperature until it has risen to the point where it just begins to collapse. This may take 6 to 8 hours, depending on the temperature of the room and the strength of the yeast. The sponge will triple in volume and small dents will begin to appear in the top as it reaches its peak and then begins to deflate. The sponge is now in perfect condition to be used in a dough. It's best if you have already weighted or measured out all of your other recipe ingredients before the sponge reaches this point so you can use it before it collapses too much.
• If you're not planning to make your dough until the next day or the day after, put the covered sponge in the refrigerator and let it rise there for at least 14 hours before taking it out to use in a recipe. Be sure to compensate for the cold temperature of the starter by using warm water (85 degrees to 90 degrees F) in the dough instead of the cool water specified in the bread recipe. Or let the starter sit out, covered until it reaches room temperature (this may take several hours), but don't let it collapse too much before you use it.
• Yield: 28 ounces

VEGETABLE ANTIPASTO STUFFED BREAD

Steps:

• Cut the top off a loaf of crusty bread. Hollow out the inside of the bread.
• Mix chopped sun-dried tomatoes, chopped olives and store bought or homemade pesto sauce. Spread the mixture evenly across the bottom of the hollowed out bread. Layer the cheese into the loaf. Layer the roasted red peppers on top of the cheese. Coarsely chop the drained artichoke hearts and add them in a layer over the red peppers. Sprinkle in the chopped hot pickled vegetables and drizzle some extra-virgin olive oil on top. Replace the top, cut the stuffed loaf into pieces and serve.

ULTIMATE VEGETABLE STUFFED SHELLS

Steps:

• Pasta -- Cook shells in boiling water until al dente according to directions. Don't over cook. Remove to a pan lined with parchment so they won't stick and just let them cool.
• Filling -- Now a food processor is what you need for this, and it will take a few times to use but you will see how easy it is. First - Add the cottage cheese and puree until smooth. Add to a large bowl.
• Second - Add red pepper and pulse a couple of times until fine minced, NOT a puree, just minced. Then add to the bowl with the cottage cheese.
• Third - Add the mushrooms and again, just pulse a couple of times until minced. Again add to the cottage cheese bowl.
• Fourth - Add the spinach, same thing, don't make it a puree, just well minced. Then add to the bowl.
• Fifth - Add the shredded zucchini, shallots and chopped olives.
• NOTE: I shred the zucchini and then lay on a paper towel with just a sprinkle of salt to let it drain so it is not too wet or watery. It really helps.
• Six - Add seasonings, bread crumbs and cheeses to the vegetable and cottage cheese mix and blend.
• Shells -- Stuff your shells. Don't worry, over stuff and fill them good.
• Casserole time -- Add about 1/2-3/4 cup sauce to the bottom of a 9x13 pan (sprayed with pam) to coat the bottom of the pan. Add the shells, it should be just the right amount to fill in the pan. Spoon the extra sauce over the top, be sure to get a little of sauce on each shell. Then top with the remaining mozzarella, a little on each shell.
• NOTE: Make sure that the shells fill up the pan you don't want them rolling around in the pan. You want a tight fit or where they are all snug. You can always use a smaller pan if necessary, but for me a 13x9 usually works out well.
• Bake -- 375 for about 40 minutes (note, I have made this in a couple of different ovens and one time it was bubbly and hot in 30 minutes, so just check after 30 minutes to be safe. It really has to do with you oven temperature, but I have found 375 seems to work best). I covered for 30 minutes and then uncovered for the last minutes of cooking time to get the cheese bubbly.
• Enjoy! Trust me, even meat lovers will love these.

STUFFED ITALIAN BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Mix melted butter, parsley, olive oil, and garlic together in a bowl.
• Slice bread diagonally without cutting all the way through; do the same on the opposite diagonal to create cube-shaped sections still attached to the bottom crust.
• Spoon butter mixture carefully between sections; stuff in shredded Italian cheese blend. Wrap loaf in aluminum foil.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes; unwrap and bake until cheese is melted, about 10 minutes more.

CRUSTY ITALIAN BREAD

Steps:

• Put hot water, salt and sugar into bottom of bread machine pan. Sprinkle flour on top of water. Make a well in the flour and fill with the yeast. Start dough cycle on machine.
• When dough cycle is complete, turn dough out onto a floured surface and kneed lightly. Shape into a round loaf and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or very lightly greased. (Do not use a dark non-stick pan- it will cause the bread to become too dark on the bottom).
• Mix together the cornstarch and water and brush onto the top of the bread. Using a shrap knife or razor slash an "X " onto the top of the loaf. You can sprinkle the top with sesame seeds if you like.
• On the LOWEST rack of the oven place an oven safe baking dish (such as a 9x13" pan) and fill 2/3 full with very hot water. Place baking sheet with bread on the MIDDLE rack. Turn the oven on to 400'. The bread will rise as the oven heats. Bake for 50 to 55 minutes or until bottom of loaf sounds hollow when tapped.

CRUSTY ITALIAN LOAF

Steps:

• BIGA: Mix all the ingredients together in a medium bowl and stir vigorously with a wooden spoon for 2 to 3 minutes, until a smooth, somewhat elastic batter has formed.
• The batter will be very stiff; it gets softer and more elastic after it has proofed.
• You may find it easier to mix the sponge using electric mixer, with a paddle or a dough hook, on medium speed for 1 to 2 minutes.
• Scrape the sponge into a 2-quart clear plastic container and cover with plastic wrap.
• At this point you have two options: If you plan to make your dough later that same day, let the sponge rest at room temperature until it has risen to the point where it just begins to collapse.
• This may take from 6 to 8 hours, depending on the temperature of the sponge, the temperature of the room, and the strength of the yeast.
• The sponge will triple in volume and small dents and folds will begin to appear in the top as it reaches its peak and then begins to deflate.
• The sponge is now in perfect condition to be used in a dough.
• It's best if you have already weighed or measured out all of your other recipe ingredients before the sponge reaches this point so you can use it before it collapses too much.
• If you're not planning to make your dough until the next day or the day after, put the covered sponge in the refrigerator and let it rise there for at least 14 hours before taking it out to use in a recipe.
• Be sure to compensate for the cold temperature of the starter by using warm water (85 to 90 degrees) in the dough instead of the cool water specified in the recipe.
• Or let the starter sit out, covered, until it reaches room temperature (this may take several hours)-but don't let it collapse to much before you use it.
• BREAD: Combine the warm water and yeast in a large bowl and stir with a fork to dissolve the yeast.
• Let stand for 3 minutes.
• Add the cool water and biga to the yeast mixture and mix with your fingers for about 2 minutes, breaking up the biga.
• The mixture should look milky and slightly foamy.
• Add the flour and salt and mix with your fingers to incorporate the flour, scraping the sides of the bowl and folding the ingredients together until the dough gathers into a mass.
• It will be wet and sticky, with long strands of dough hanging from your fingers.
• If the dough is not sticky, add 1 tablespoon of water.
• Move the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes, until it becomes supple and fairly smooth.
• This is a sticky, wet dough; don't be tempted to add more flour to the work surface.
• Just dust lightly and use a dough scraper as necessary to loosen the dough from the table during kneading.
• Allow the dough to rest for 15 minutes, covered with oiled plastic wrap (This rest period is the autolyse.) Knead the dough 3 to 5 minutes, until it is stretchy and smooth, yet still slightly sticky.
• Shape the dough into a loose ball, place it in a lightly oiled bowl, and turn the dough in the bowl to coat with oil.
• Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and let the dough rise at room temperature (75 to 77 degrees F) for about 1 hour, or until the dough looks slightly puffy but has not doubled.
• Place the dough in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours, or preferably, overnight to let it relax, develop flavor, and become more manageable.
• Take the dough from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 1 to 2 hours, until it begins to warm up and starts to rise.
• Flour a work surface well and gently dump the dough onto it.
• Divide the dough into three equal pieces, about 13 ounces each.
• Gently flatten one piece, pressing out some of the air bubbles, and stretch it into a rectangle.
• Fold the top third down and the bottom third up as if you were folding a business letter.
• Now form the loaf into a short baguette by rolling the dough over from left to right and sealing the seam with the heel of your palm.
• Fold the dough over about 1/ 3 of the way each time, seal the length of the loaf, then repeat.
• You want to gently draw the skin tight over the surface of the loaf while leaving some air bubbles in the dough.
• Seal the seam, being careful not to tear the skin of the dough or deflate its airy structure.
• Do not elongate.
• These loaves are about 10 inches long.
• Cover an area on the work surface with a thick layer of flour and place the loaf, seam side down, on the flour.
• Repeat with remaining pieces of dough.
• The loaves will be loose and slightly irregular in shape.
• Leave plenty of space between the loaves they will spread as they rise.
• Cover the loaves with well oiled plastic and let them rise for 1 to 2 hours, until bubbly and loose.
• Thirty minutes before baking, preheat the oven to 475 degrees F.
• Place a baking stone in the oven to preheat and position an oven rack just below the stone.
• Sprinkle a peel very generously with cornmeal.
• Line an upside-down baking sheet with parchment paper and sprinkle very generously with cornmeal.
• Lift one loaf, flip it over so the floured side is on top, and gently tug on the ends to stretch the loaf to the full length of the peel, or about 14 inches on a pan.
• Repeat with the remaining loaves, placing 2 on the peel and 1 on the pan.
• Dimple each loaf with your finger in about 6 places, but don't deflate them too much.
• Be sure the loaves are loosened from the peel, then carefully slide them onto the baking stone.
• Place the pan of bread on the rack below the stone.
• Using a plant sprayer, quickly mist the loaves with water 8 to 10 times, then quickly shut oven door.
• Mist the loaves again after 1 minute.
• Then mist again 1 minute later.
• Bake for about 10 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 450 degrees and bake 15 minutes longer or until the loaves sound slightly hollow when tapped on the bottom and the crust is a medium to dark brown.
• (If the crust is not brown enough, the loaves will soften as they cool.) Transfer the bread to a rack to cool for at least 30 minutes before serving.

STUFFED BELL PEPPERS WITH AN ITALIAN FLAIR

Steps:

• Prepare rice according to directions; meanwhile, brown beef and onion until pan juices have evaporated.
• Remove to a large bowl.
• To meat add salt, oregano, pepper, rice, and 2 cups of spaghetti sauce.
• Cut tops off peppers and remove seeds and dry pulp.
• Stuff the peppers with the meat mixture and arrange in a baking pan or electric frying pan.
• Add remaining sauce and water to the pan.
• Bake 50 to 60 minutes or until the peppers are tender.
• Top with mozzarella cheese and heat till cheese melts, about 3 minutes.

BEST EVER ITALIAN BREAD

Steps:

• Stir the yeast into lukewarm water and set aside.
• Combine 5 cups flour, sugar and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer. Add the yeast mixture, remaining water and olive oil. Using a dough hook attachment, mix on lowest speed of electric mixer (stir setting on a KitchenAid) until a dough starts to form, adding more flour as needed. Knead on low speed (2 on a KitchenAid) for 7 minutes. Transfer dough to lightly floured surface and need by hand for 1 to 2 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 place for 1½ hours or until doubled in size. I usually put mine in a SLIGHTLY warmed oven.
• 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.
• Preheat the oven to 425°F and place an empty baking pan on bottom rack. This will be used later to create steam.
• Place the dough on a inverted baking sheet that has been dusted with flour. Cover with a towel, for 30 minutes, or until doubled in size.
• Brush the dough with the egg white, and then slash the dough lengthwise about 1/4-inch deep in three spots.
• Place the pan of dough on the top rack, and pour a large cup of water into the warmed baking pan on the bottom rack.
• Bake for 45 minutes, or until a hollow thud is heard when tapping the bottom of the bread. Allow the bread to cool before slicing.

STUFFED VIENNA BREAD

Steps:

• Stuff sections of bread with Swiss cheese and chopped mushrooms.
• Place bread on heavy duty foil and put green onions, poppyseeds and seasoned salt on top.
• Melt butter,lemon juice and dry mustard and spoon over bread.
• Wrap in foil and bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.
• Fold back foil and pull off pieces with fingers.
• This may also be frozen ahead, defrosted and baked when needed.

SAUSAGE STUFFED FRENCH BREAD

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350.
• Cut very tops off the loaves. Save tops and hollow out the bread,leaving about 1/2 inch border.
• Brown sausage.
• Add bell pepper, green onions and jalpenos. Cook until softened.
• Add cream cheese and let melt.
• Add sour cream and cheddar, stir over low heat until combined.
• Divide mix between the two bread bowls, replace tops.
• Wrap in foil.
• Bake at 350 for 20 minutes or until bread is crunchy.
• Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing into individual sandwiches.Serve warm.