ITALIAN BREAD DOUGH RECIPES

Steps:

• For Starter - Mix well - 1 and 1/3 cup all purpose flour, 1 tsp yeast, 1 cup warm water and 1/2 tsp sugar. Cover and leave at room temperature to ferment for at least 4 hours (or until dough doubles in size)
• For Dough - Stir the risen starter and let it rest for 5 minutes. In meantime, in a small bowl, add 4 tbsp warm water, 1/2 cup warm milk, 1 tsp sugar, 1 & 1/2 tsp salt, 2 tbsp oil and mix well. Sprinkle yeast over the rested starter. Add milk and oil mixture and 2 cups of all-purpose flour. Mix well. Transfer to a flour dusted board and knead adding 1 tbsp flour at a time until dough comes together. Knead the dough for 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer the dough to an oiled bowl, swirl the dough in bowl to apply oil all over. Cover and leave at warm place to rise for 2 hours (until it triples in size.)
• Shape the Dough - Punch the dough, transfer to a floured surface. Gently roll the dough to make a 12 inch rectangle. Divide it in four portions.
• Shape the Dough - Sprinkle a baking sheet with 2 tbsp of all-purpose or semolina flour. Shape each half into a small rectangle by folding it like letter (tucking the edges inside). Transfer each folded rectangle to baking sheet, folded ends facing down and place'em in 2 lines, 3-4 inch apart.
• Bake - Preheat oven at 425 Fahrenheit. Cover with kitchen towel and let rise at room temperature for 60 minutes (or until almost doubles in size) , then bake for 22-25 minutes or until tops are brown and bottom of rolls sound hollow when taped.
• Transfer to a cooling rack. Serve warm or let the bread cool completely, then wrap in plastic wrap and freeze for later. To defrost, I microwave frozen bread for 2 minutes at low power.

Steps:

• In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup warm water. Add the sugar, shortening, salt, egg, remaining water and 4 cups flour; beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a stiff dough. , Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour., Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide in half. Shape each portion into a loaf. Place seam side down on greased baking sheets., With a sharp knife, make four shallow diagonal slashes across the top of each loaf. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour. , Bake at 350° for 37-42 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool. Brush with butter.