RUSTIC ITALIAN BREAD

**RUSTIC  ITALIAN BREAD **

THE PROCESS IN MAKING THIS BREAD MAKES A BREAD THAT HAS A

 CRISPY CRUSTY OUTSIDE WITH A SOFT  MOIST INSIDE.





 

3 c. hot tap water

1/2 tsp. sugar

1 1/2 tbsp. yeast
Put hot water in bowl sprinkle on yeast and then sprinkle on the sugar.  Let mixture bubble up to a foam.

 

In a separate bowl, mix:

6 1/2 c. flour

1 1/2 tbsp. coarse salt

 

Add the yeast mixture to the flour mixture and mix until well combined. Cover and let raise until it doubles. Form and roll in cornmeal. Let it rest for a few minutes. Heat oven to 450 degrees. Fill a pan with water and put on the bottom rack of oven (doing so will create a hard, crusty outside and moist inside). Place rounded dough on a pizza sheet with holes or a stone and bake for about 30 minutes. Store in a paper sack to maintain the crusty outside.