Kittencal's Italian-Style Bread
"If you are in Canada use white all purpose, in U.S. use white bread flour for this recipe, I have made this bread successfully using half white and half whole wheat bread flour! This recipe can also be made by hand, although I have never tried it I imagine that the dough could also be kneaded in a bread machine and then shaped and baked in the oven. This is a delicious spongy-textured bread that goes perfect with a spaghetti or pasta dinner. I sometimes like to add in about 1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning into the dough when kneading for a herbed flavor, you can also add in about 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese if desired, also vegetable or Canola can be used in place of olive oil, but olive oil is better! You can make two smaller loaves or shape into one larger loaf! I use only 1 teaspoon salt for this bread just personal preference, for some it might be on the "bland" side so you might want to increase the salt to 1-1/4 teaspoons. This dough makes a great focaccia also, just omit the cornmeal --- for pan greasing see my recipe#78579"
photo by Chabear01
- Ready In:
- 2hrs 17mins
- Ingredients:
- 10
- Yields:
-
2 loaves
ingredients
- 3 teaspoons dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 1⁄4 cups warm water
- 3 cups all-purpose white flour (more if needed, use bread flour for U.S.)
- 3 tablespoons cornmeal (can use yellow or white cornmeal)
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- cooking spray
- 2 tablespoons cornmeal
directions
- Prepare a heavy-duty stand mixer with the kneading attachment.
- Pour in 2-1/2 cups flour, cornmeal, 2 teaspoons sugar, olive oil and salt into the stainless steel mixing bowl.
- In a measuring cup proof the yeast with 1-1/4 cups warm water and 1 teaspoon sugar for about 8-10 minutes or until foamy.
- Pour the water/yeast mixture into the bowl with the flour mixture in it, then start kneading adding in more flour 1 tablespoon at a time until the dough leaves the sides of the bowl, and dough is soft and smooth not sticky and wet (kneading should take about 6-8 minutes).
- Transfer the dough into an oiled bowl.
- Cover and let rise in a warm place for about 45-50 minutes, or until doubled (watch the dough closely since you are using a smaller amount of flour, and using 3 teaspoons of yeast, the dough rises a little quicker!).
- Punch down; cover and let rest for about 10-12 minutes in the bowl (this is important, the dough must rest for 10-12 minutes after punching down and before shaping!).
- Transfer the dough onto a lightly-floured surface and evenly divide in half.
- Shape each half into a thin 10-12-inch long loaf (or you can shape in one thicker shorter loaf if desired).
- Place the shaped loaves onto a 15 x 10-inch baking sheet that has been lighly greased and then sprinkled with about 2 tablespoons cornmeal.
- Cover with a clean tea towel and let rise for about 25-30 minutes.
- Spray the tops of the bread with cooking spray (I use Pam olive oil spray for this).
- Bake at 400°F for about 20-22 minutes for 2 small long loaves, or until golden brown (adjust baking time longer for 1 large loaf).
- Cool on a wire rack.
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Reviews
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This is the first recipe I made with my KA, and it turned out perfect and tasted great! I added in a tablespoon of dried Italian seasoning with the dough and made into two loaves. I served the Italian bread along with your, Delicious Spaghetti Meat Sauce #150207 and it was so yummy! Thanks for a winner KITTENCAL.... -
I am so thrilled that I get to be the first to rate this recipe! And when I saw it was Kittencal's well, no problem as even her average recipes are always far from average. I thought I would maybe do something for her for a change add something helpful. Well, that and I cannot make bread by hand to save my soul. I gave that up a while back. Anyway I made this from start to finish in the bread machine. Exactly as stated. Had to help the machine and do a little scraping as it was kneading. But other than that all measurements exactly. All except the very last spray the top and cornmeal for the baking sheet. It turned out super. I used the french bread setting 2 lb loaf (although I may try the 1.5 next time). It rose fine and tasted just like you always wanted an italian loaf to. I posted a plain italian loaf for the bread machine as I just couldnt find what I was looking for. Forget it use this one. My I O U's to Kittencal just got longer. -
All I can say is wow made this to go with pasta and meat sauce man was it good thank you kitt for posting I love all of your recipes -
This is a wonderful recipe! I love that is uses a stand mixer and I loved the simplicity of it. It was the perfect compliment for Recipe #19135 and I made Recipe #53876 to dip the bread in! The whole family loved this bread! -
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Excellent tasting bread. I made this to make recipe #191478 so I wanted the crust a little crusty, so I sprayed the crust and the oven every 5 minutes for the first 15 minutes and it turned out great. Baked perfectly in 22 minutes. Loved the addition of the cornmeal. Will be making this often. Thanks Kitz.
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