Pasta Basica ( Basic Dough)

Total Time: 1 hr 5 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 35 mins

Ingredients

• 1 package active dry yeast
• 1 3/4 cups water
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 -5 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• extra virgin olive oil

Recipe

• 1 in a large bowl, disolve the yeast in 1/4 c.
• 2 of the warm water.
• 3 allow the yeast to proof until it is foamy, about 10 minutes.
• 4 add the remaining 1 1/2 c.
• 5 water and the salt.
• 6 add the flour 1 c.
• 7 at a time; you may not need all of it.
• 8 work the mixture until it comes together in a ball.
• 9 place the dough on a floured work surface and knead it for 5 to 10 minutes, folding the dough over on itself several times, until it is shiny and elastic.
• 10 grease a bowl generously with olive oil; put the dough in the bowl and turn a few times to coat with the oil.
• 11 cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and place it in a warm place, free from drafts, and let rise for 3 to 4 hours, or until doubled in size.
• 12 the more slowly the dough rises, the tangier the flavor will be.
• 13 punch the dough down, turn it onto a floured work surface, and knead a few times.
• 14 preheat the oven to 400 degrees f.
• 15 set a baking stone on the bottom rack to preheat for 30 minutes; or preheat the oven to 375 degrees f.
• 16 and lightly grease a baking sheet and dust with cornmeal.
• 17 shape the dough into an oval or a round loaf.
• 18 place the dough on a baker's peel dusted with cornmeal, if using a baking stone, or on the greased baking sheet.
• 19 cover with a towel and let rise for 30 minutes, or until doubled in size.
• 20 cut several parallel slashes about 1/2 in.
• 21 deep in the top of the loaf with a razor blade or make an x with scissors.
• 22 if using a baking stone, sprinkle the preheated stone with cornmeal and carefully slide the bread onto it.
• 23 bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the crust is a golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped with your knuckles.
• 24 if baking on a baking sheet, bake for 35-40 minutes.
• 25 transfer to a wire rack and cool completely.