Best 2 Rustic Italian Bread Recipes
Embark on a culinary journey to the heart of Italy with our exploration of the art of rustic Italian bread. From the cobblestone streets of Rome to the rolling hills of Tuscany, rustic Italian bread is an embodiment of Italy's rich culinary traditions. Discover the secrets behind the perfect loaf, from choosing the finest ingredients to mastering the delicate balance of flavors. With a variety of recipes to choose from, we'll guide you through the process, ensuring you create a loaf that captures the essence of authentic Italian bread.
Let's cook with our recipes!
CHEF JOHN'S RUSTIC ITALIAN CORN BREAD
I was speaking with my mother, Pauline, last week, and she told me about a bread she used to eat at her grandmother's house. She said it was basic Italian bread, but had some cornmeal in it, and was one of her favorites. I love to play food detective, so I took her description and went to work. I believe this is pretty close to what she remembers, and even if it's a bit off, it was still delicious.
Provided by Chef John
Categories Bread Yeast Bread Recipes White Bread Recipes
Time 4h30m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Stir warm water, 1/2 cup bread flour, yeast, and sugar together in a bowl. Let stand until the yeast softens and forms a creamy mixture, about 40 minutes.
- Mix 1/2 cup cornmeal, olive oil, and salt into yeast mixture. Gradually add bread flour to yeast mixture until a dough pulls together.
- Knead dough on a lightly floured work surface until smooth and elastic, 10 to 12 minutes. Place dough in a large, lightly-oiled bowl and turn to coat. Cover with a damp towel and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 2 hours.
- Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and roll into a 14-inch wide rectangle. Roll dough, starting from the long-end, into a loaf, finishing seam-side down.
- Dust a baking sheet with 1 tablespoon cornmeal. Place loaf on baking sheet, cover with a dry towel, and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Place a shallow pan of water on the lower rack of the oven.
- Cut a 1/2-inch deep slash down the center of the loaf.
- Bake in preheated oven until the top is golden brown and the bottom of loaf sounds hollow when tapped, 35 to 40 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 102.7 calories, Carbohydrate 13.3 g, Fat 4.7 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 2.1 g, SaturatedFat 0.6 g, Sodium 440.4 mg, Sugar 0.2 g
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.
Tips:
- Choose the right ingredients: Use high-quality flour, yeast, salt, and water. Fresh ingredients will give you the best results.
- Follow the recipe carefully: Baking bread is a precise process, so it's important to follow the recipe exactly. Don't substitute ingredients or change the measurements.
- Knead the dough properly: Kneading the dough is essential for developing the gluten, which will give your bread its structure and texture. Knead the dough for at least 10 minutes, or until it is smooth and elastic.
- Let the dough rise in a warm place: The dough needs time to rise in order to develop its flavor and texture. Place the dough in a warm place, such as a sunny windowsill or a turned-off oven, and let it rise until it has doubled in size.
- Bake the bread at a high temperature: Baking the bread at a high temperature will give it a crispy crust and a fluffy interior. Preheat your oven to the highest temperature it can reach before baking the bread.
Conclusion:
With a little practice, you'll be able to make delicious rustic Italian bread at home. Just remember to use high-quality ingredients, follow the recipe carefully, and bake the bread at a high temperature. Soon, you'll be enjoying fresh, homemade bread that's perfect for any occasion.
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