Savory Italian Bread Recipes

MAMA D'S ITALIAN BREAD

Steps:

• Add the sugar and yeast to the warm water and let proof.
• Stir in 4 cups of flour and beat until smooth. Cover and let rest for 15 minutes.
• Beat in the salt and then add enough remaining flour to make a stiff dough. Knead until as soft and smooth as a bambino's behind. Turn in a greased bowl, cover, and let double in size. (I put it in the oven with the light on - perfect rising temperature.)
• Once doubled, punch down and divide into three. Place back in the bowl, cover, and let rise.
• Once doubled again, punch down and form into three fat "footballs." Grease heavy cookie sheets and sprinkle with corn meal. Place the bread on the sheets, cover with a towel, and let rise.
• Once risen, mist with water and place in a preheated 450 degrees F (230 degrees C) oven. Mist loaves with water and turn occasionally while they bake. Bread is done when golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.

ITALIAN SWEET AND SAVORY BREAD

Steps:

• Place all bread ingredients in bread machine pan according to manufacturer's directions.
• Select dough cycle and check after 5 minutes of mixing.
• If needed, add 1 to 2 tablespoons water or flour.
• When cycle is complete, turn dough onto a floured surface and divide in half.
• Shape each half into a ball and flatten slightly.
• Place in two greased 9" round cake pans, cover and let rise until doubled (about 1 hour).
• Beat egg and water and brush over dough.
• Sprinkle with Italian seasoning.
• Bake at 350° for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown.
• Remove from pans and place on wire rack to cool.

ITALIAN BREAD RECIPE BY TASTY

Steps:

• Mix ½ cup (120 ml) of warm water with yeast and sugar in a separate bowl and let bloom for 10 minutes.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer (or separate bowl if you don't have one), mix flour, salt, olive oil, and yeast mixture in a bowl until combined.
• Slowly add water to the flour mixture while mixing on the second speed setting (or while mixing by hand if no stand mixer is being used) until a dough forms.
• Knead for 5 minutes in a stand mixer or 8-10 minutes by hand.
• Place in a greased bowl and cover with lid or damp towel and place in a room temp oven for 1 hour.
• Flour a work surface, deflate dough, and turn out onto said surface and form into a tight ball.
• Cut the dough ball into two pieces and work into two 12-14 inch (30 cm - 35 cm) loaves and place onto a baking pan dusted with flour.
• Cover dough with plastic wrap or damp towel and place back in the oven for 30 minutes.
• Remove the baking tray and place in a room temperature place and preheat the oven to 410°F with a baking or pizza stone placed in the middle of the oven.
• Once heated, score loaves with a sharp knife, razor, or bread lame diagonally every three inches.
• Crack the egg into a bowl and whisk till scrambled and brush each loaf with the egg wash generously.
• Place the baking sheet in the oven for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown and delicious.
• Cool on a wire rack until fully cooled.
• Serve with olive oil, minced or grated garlic, balsamic vinegar, and grated parmesan cheese.

SAVORY ITALIAN BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400.
• Cut bread to but NOT through the bottom into 12 slices.
• Place on a baking sheet.
• Combine parmesan, mayonnaise,basil, garlic powder, oregano and onion salt in a small bowl, and mix well.
• Spread the mixture between the slices and over top of bread.
• Bake bread until golden, about 12 minutes.
• you can also add 1/2 cup chopped cooked shrimp to the mayo mixture before spreading it on the bread, Add a few drops of lemon juice and worcestershire sauce for extra flavor.
• variation: butter can be used in place of mayo, and any cheese can be substituted, romano, mozzarella, swiss, cheddar.