Rustic Italian Bread
The Perfect Soup Bread & its has only 4 ingredients!
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 t active dry yeast
- 6 1/4 cup whole wheat flour (white wheat preferred, but red wheat works as well)
- 2 tsp sea salt
- 3 c warm water
Directions
1. In a large mixing bowl, add the flour, salt and yeast. Use a spatula or spoon and mix to combine.
2. Pour in the warm water and keep mixing until everything is incorporated and a soft dough has formed. It will still stick to the bottom of the bowl and that is OK.
3. Cover the bowl with some plastic wrap loosely and a tea towel. Allow the dough to rise at room temperature for 2 to 3 hours.
4. Preheat your oven to 450”F with a baking sheet inside for about 30 minutes before baking the bread. Fill an oven proof bowl (I use a cast iron skillet) with 2 inches of water and place it on the bottom rack. This will create the steam that will cause the crust to become crispy as it bakes.
5. Sprinkle some flour on your kitchen counter and dump the bread dough on it. Flour your hands to help it out of the bowl as it might be sticky.
6. With floured hands fold the dough onto itself forming it into a round ball. Do not knead it, do not handle it anymore than you need to. Use a sharp knife and lightly carve an X in the top of the loaf or just make a few cuts across.
7. Place the bread dough on top of a lightly floured large plate and gently slide it on top of the hot baking sheet.
8. Bake the bread for about 45 minutes until golden brown all over and cooked through. You can tap the top of the bread and if it sounds hollow, its done.
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