Step by Step Italian Bread (quick and Easy Bread)

Ingredients

6 cups Bread flour unbleached
2 tsp salt
2 tbsp. olive oil
2 1/2 cups warm water
1 packet  rapid Rise yeast
1 packet active dry yeast
2 tbsp. brown sugar/ white sugar/ Honey

1 egg + 2 tbsp. water  for brushing bread

Bake 400F for 25 minutes

quantity:   2 bread loafs

Machine  :  kitchen aid with hook attachment (slow speed 1 and 2) for 8 to 10 minutes

note:  my KitchenAid machine is small in size so I will make half of this batch. (one Loaf) at a time

Method

In Mixer add flour, salt in one side and oil in other.

in warm water add yeast and mix well with spoon.  now add sugar and mix well again.  wait for 30 seconds to a minute.  once you will see foam in yeast it is ready to add in flour.

Turn on mixer to 1 speed (Low) and add half of the yeast and let it mix then add other half of yeast and let it go until nice big dough ball falls.

Mixing will take 5 to 8 minutes and dough slowly come out nice and clean from hock that means dough is ready and should not stick too much to the bowl.

This dough is ready .

Now in clean stainless steel bowl brush olive oil with napkin so the dough doesn't stick while rising.

•   Now fold the dough in nice round ball and no seems on top of dough.
•   Drizzle olive oil on top of dough and rub it around.
•   Put it down on oil bowl.  Flip it over a little.  Let it rest in middle of the bowl, cover with  wet   towel and let it rise for 1 hour.   it will double in size.

2nd Proofing

•   No on top counter sprinkle very little flour .  turn dough on this flour and punch bread a little.
•   Spread dough down and fold it over.
•   Punch it down and fold it again.  keep repeating folding process for 4 to 5 times.
•   now cut dough into 2 for 2 loafs.  
•   spread it out in rectangular shape like loaf bread.

Baking

  In cookie sheet(Tray)  lay parchment paper , sprinkle little flour and put rectangular loaf and cover with wet towel let it sit for another 1 hour (double in size).

With sharp knife apply olive oil on knife and cut the dough from the middle of each loaf so steam can scape.

Now brush with egg wash and Bake at 400F for 25 minutes.

check if bread sounds hollow then it is ready.

Remove bread from oven and put it on wire back for at least 15 minutes to cool.

You can slice bread now and serve.