Italian Bread

• servings: 1 loaf

Ingredients

2½ cups all-purpose flour

⅞ tsp salt

½ tbsp olive oil

1⅛ tsp active dry yeast

¼ tsp sugar

1 cup water, heated to 115°F

Directions

** If using a bread machine, add all the wet ingredients first, then the dry ingredients with the yeast being last. Use the dough setting on the machine. Once finished, transfer to a loaf pan and follow the baking directions below. **

Preheat oven to 375°F.

Dissolve yeast in ¼ cup warm water, stirring in sugar. Cover and put in a warm place to rise, 10-15 minutes.

While yeast is rising mix flour, salt, and oil. When yeast is ready add the rest of the water to it. Using a wooden spoon, add the flour mixture and cup at a time to the yeast until a ball of dough forms which pulls away from the sides of the bowl.

Place on a floured surface and knead for 5 minutes until smooth and satiny, adding more flour as necessary to make the dough non-sticky. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size (~1 hour).

Punch down and knead for another 5 minutes. Shape the dough and place in a greased loaf pan. Let rise again for about 1 hour.

Bake for 30 minutes. If desired, prior to baking coat the top with egg white and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Cool on a rack for 10 minutes before removing from loaf pan.