Italian Bread Ii ( Single Rising)

Total Time: 3 hrs 10 mins Preparation Time: 2 hrs 30 mins Cook Time: 40 mins

Ingredients

• 2 packages dry yeast
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 cup warm water (not hot)
• 1/3 cup melted butter, cooled slightly
• 3/4 cup warm water
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 5 1/2-6 cups flour
• cornmeal
• 1 egg , slightly beaten

Recipe

• 1 combine yeast, sugar and 1 c.
• 2 warm water in a large bowl.
• 3 stir until dissolved.
• 4 set aside in a warm place for 1/2 hr.
• 5 when mixture starts to bubble slightly, add butter, salt and remaining 3/4 warm water.
• 6 add flour 1 c at a time, beating vigorously w/ a wooden spoon.
• 7 continue until dough starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl.
• 8 turn out unto a generously floured board.
• 9 (dough will be sticky) gently fold in remaining flour, kneading until the dough begins to become smooth and elastic.
• 10 knead for 10 minutes.
• 11 let sit for 5 minutes.
• 12 divide dough in two and roll each into a rectangle 12 x 8 inches.
• 13 roll up tightly lengthwise, pinching seams.
• 14 butter two baking sheet and sprinkle w/ cornmeal.
• 15 place loaves on sheets and let rise in a warm draft-free place until double (1-1 1/2 hrs) preheat oven to 425f.
• 16 brush loaves w/ beaten egg while.
• 17 bake 40 minutes.