Let’s Make Bread!

Why? Why Not??

It is only 4 ingredients and super easy to do. You will be delighted and so will your family and friends. I learned how to make a great crunchy loaf of Italian bread when I lived in Texas. Coming from the Northeast, we were always looking for good bread and not finding any that our family was used to having. So, I decided to learn how to make my own. It has been a family favorite ever since. Even living back in the Northeast, my family and friends still enjoy showing up at our home to the smell and taste of this homemade bread. As I mentioned, just 4 ingredients: Flour, Water, Salt, Yeast.

*You will also need a cast iron pot (I use LeCreuset) It is worth the investment.

First: Mix the dough (Use a glass or ceramic bowl)

4 cups of flour

2 cups of warm water

1 tbsp of salt

1 package of self-rising active yeast

-Mix all of the ingredients with a wooden spoon. You may need additional warm water as the texture should be slightly wet and messy. Just add a little at a time.

-Cover with saran wrap and set in a warm area (oven or microwave) for at least 5 hours

NEXT: Bake the bread

-Put the pot with the lid on in the oven and preheat the pot to 465 degrees

-While the oven is heating, punch down the bread using a little flour on your hand. Knead the bread for a few minutes into a ball and let sit covered with a dry towel until the oven and pot with lid on are heated to 465.

-Take out the pot, remove lid and put the dough in the pot and cover.

-Bake for 50 min

-Remove lid and bake for 5 more min until golden brown

-Remove bread from the pot and let cool on a metal rack. Should hear crackling.

Feel free to add rosemary, garlic, olives, sesame, or any other ingredient after you punch down the loaf before kneading. I have also brushed with olive oil and herbs during the last 5 min of baking.

I know you will enjoy this homemade bread and so will your friends and family!

Buon Appetito!