Country Style Semolina Bread Recipes

SEMOLINA BREAD

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl or in the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the water, yeast and 2 cups of the all purpose flour. Mix with the paddle on low speed until it forms a thick batter. Cover the bowl and set aside for 30 minutes.
• If using a stand mixer, switch to the dough hook. Add the salt and the semolina flour and mix until the dough begins to form a ball around the hook. Add the remaining 1/4 cup of all purpose flour. If mixing by hand add the flour using a wooden spoon and/or a plastic bowl scraper. Knead the dough for 5 minutes until it is smooth and elastic.
• Place the dough into a lightly oiled bowl, turn once to coat the dough. Cover the bowl and set it aside at room temperature for 1 - 1 1/2 hours or until doubled in size. At this point you can cover the bowl tightly, refrigerate overnight and finish shaping and baking in the morning or continue to bake the same day.
• Use the semolina/all purpose mix to dust a proofing basket or wooden peel. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead 4-5 times, then use your cupped hands to form the dough into a smooth ball and place the dough, smooth side down, into the proofing basket. If you don't have a proofing basket place the dough directly onto a sheet of parchment paper or on the wooden peel.
• Cover the dough and leave in a warm place until it's almost doubled in size and it springs back slowly when poked, about 1 hour depending on the room temperature and dough temperature. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 425°F. Place a Dutch oven with a lid into the oven to preheat.
• If the loaf is in a proofing basket, place a sheet of parchment over the dough and gently flip it over. Use a single edge razor or very sharp knife to cut a 1/4" deep X or square across the top of the loaf. Remove the preheated pan from the oven and remove the lid. Use the parchment to lift the loaf into the Dutch oven. If you don't have a Dutch oven, slide the parchment paper onto a baking sheet or onto a preheated pizza stone.
• Replace the lid on the pot and slide it into the oven. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove the lid from the Dutch oven. The loaf should be well risen and just beginning to brown.
• Continue baking another 20 minutes until the loaf is nicely browned and beginning to crisp. Remove the pan from the oven. Use the parchment to lift the loaf out of the pan. Use the parchment to place the loaf directly onto the rack in the oven. Bake another 5-10 minutes until the loaf is deeply browned and very crisp. Total baking time is about 40-50 minutes. If you are baking directly on a pizza stone or sheet pan the baking time may be closer to 30 minutes.
• Cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.

100% SEMOLINA BREAD

Steps:

• Mix the salt into the warm water (120F-130F) and pour into the bread machine pan. Next, add the olive oil, flour, sugar and the yeast last (may be place into a little indentation in the center of the flour). If necessary, add 1/2 teaspoon ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) to help the yeast feed.
• Set the bread machine to a 2 lb size and white light, white medium, white dark, whole wheat or french settings.
• Push start and come back in 3 1/3 to 4 hours. :-).

COUNTRY-STYLE SEMOLINA BREAD

Steps:

• Combine water, milk, honey, and yeast in the large mixing bowl of a freestanding electric mixer. Let stand about 10 to 15 minutes or until foamy. Add 2 cups of the bread flour. Beat on low speed for 4 minutes. Remove beaters. Cover bowl and let stand for 30 minutes to 2 hours.
• Add the remaining 1 cup bread flour, the semolina flour, and salt. Using dough hooks, beat mixture for 5 minutes. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil. Continue beating on medium speed until oil is incorporated. You should have a soft, fairly sticky dough. Brush 1 tablespoon of the remaining oil in a large bowl. Transfer dough to oiled bowl, turning once. Cover and let rise until doubled in size (about 1 hour).
• Turn dough out onto a floured surface. Divide dough in half. Cover and let rest for 15 minutes. Sprinkle 1 large baking sheet with the cornmeal. Shape dough by gently pulling each portion into a ball, tucking edges under. Place dough balls on the baking sheet. Flatten each dough ball slightly to about 6 inches in diameter. Brush tops of loaves with remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Let rise until nearly doubled (20 to 30 minutes). Preheat oven to 450 degree F. With a very sharp knife, make 3 or 4 diagonal slashes on top of each loaf about 1/4 inch deep.
• Place a shallow baking pan with about 1/2 inch of boiling water on the bottom rack of the preheated oven. Place baking sheet on the middle rack in the oven. Working quickly, heavily mist the inside of the oven, including the bread, with water from a clean spray bottle. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until the internal temperature of the bread is 200 degree F, covering bread with foil in the last 10 minutes of baking to prevent over-browning. Immediately remove loaves from baking sheet. Cool on a wire rack.