Italian Seasoned Bread Recipes

ITALIAN SEASONED BREAD

Steps:

• In a quart bowl or measuring cup, put the warm water, the margarine or butter, the sugar, the salt, and a tablespoon of the flour. Stir well.
• Add in the yeast and then set aside for five minutes.
• In a very large bowl, mix 2 cups flour, 1/2 cup of the parmesan, and the remaining ingredients. Stir to mix.
• Slowly stir in the yeast mixture.
• Beat in the rest of the flour.
• Leave the bread mix in the bowl, and cover with a damp dish towel and then plastic wrap.
• Let rise 45 minutes, until light and bubbly.
• Preheat the oven to 375°F.
• Butter a two quart casserole.
• Stir the bread mix until it collapses, and then flop it into the greased dish.
• Sprinkle the remaining parmesan on top of the bread mix.
• Let rise 30 minutes and then put in oven.
• Bake 35 minutes until lightly browned.
• Turn the bread out onto the counter.
• Lightly thump bottom.
• If it sounds hollow it's done.
• Otherwise, return to casserole for a few minutes.
• Let partially cool.
• Serve warm with real butter.

ITALIAN HERB BREAD I

Steps:

• Mix yeast, warm water, and white sugar together in a large bowl. Set aside for five minutes, or until mixture becomes foamy.
• Stir olive oil, salt, herbs, garlic powder, onion powder, cheese, and 3 cups flour into the yeast mixture. Gradually mix in the next three cups of flour. Dough will be stiff.
• Knead dough for 5 to 10 minutes, or until it is smooth and rubbery. Place in an oiled bowl, and turn to cover the surface of the dough with oil. Cover with a damp linen dish towel. Allow to rise for one hour, or until the dough has doubled in size.
• Punch dough down to release all the air. Shape into two loaves. Place loaves on a greased cookie sheet, or into two greased 9 x 5 inch loaf pans. Allow to rise until doubled in size, about a 30 minutes.
• Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 35 minutes. Remove loaves from pan(s), and let cool on wire racks for at least 15 minutes before slicing.