I am looking for a recipe for Italian Bread (not just a bread with Italian seasoning)with the good hard crust and distinct flavor. The closest I've found is the bread available in the Chicago area from the Ganilla (spelling?) Bakeries, but that is the actual bread, not the recipe. Thank you.

-- Anonymous, April 21, 2001

Answers

DAD'S ITALIAN BREAD RECIPE

6 cups flour 1 tbls.sugar 1 tsp. salt 1 tbls. dry yeast 2 cups luke warm water In 4 quart bowl,put 6 cups flour,1tbls.sugar and 1 tsp.salt.Make a crater in the middle. In a 2 cup measuring cup add 1 tbls.yeast,then add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of luke warm water,stir and desolve the yeast then add the remaining water to the 2 cup mark,stir and dump into the flour mixture,stir mixture until it could be handled on the counter and knead for 10 to 12 min. until elastic,small amounts of flour and water can be added to make it more manageable.Check with the back of your hand to make sure it is not too dry or too tacky. When this is complete, place in lightly greased bowl, roll over and cover bowl with saran wrap and towel. Let set in warm place for approx. 1-1/4 hr. until double in size. Then on a lightly floured counter, roll out the dough, cut into equal portions, shape the loaves and place on lightly greased cookie sheet. Cover with towel and let set for 10 min, then preheat oven to 410 degrees.When temperature is reached,slit top of the loaves and place in the oven for approx.30 min.until or golden brown.Remove from oven and place on cooling rack,coverwith towel,Yields 2 large loaves.

-- Anonymous, April 27, 2001