ITALIAN CRISPY BREAD RECIPES

Steps:

• Add into bread machine container, warmed water, olive oil, sugar, yeast. Let yeast foam a bit.
• Dump in flour (start with 2 1/2 cups); add salt on top of flour.
• Turn on bread machine to dough setting. Watch for the first bit and add flour as needed to get a good dough. (elastic and not sticky).
• Get cookie sheet ready by lightly oiling with olive oil and sprinkle on cornmeal.
• Form dough into loaf and set on cookie sheet with tea towel to cover until doubled in size.
• Preheat oven to 375*F.
• Cut slits diagonally in loaf with sharp knife. Brush with egg white.
• Bake in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown and when you knock the bottom of bread it sounds hollow.

Steps:

• Place flour, brown sugar, warm water, salt, olive oil and yeast in the pan of the bread machine in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Select dough cycle; press Start.
• Deflate the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Form dough into two loaves. Place the loaves seam side down on a cutting board generously sprinkled with cornmeal. Cover the loaves with a damp cloth and let rise, until doubled in volume about 40 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• In a small bowl, beat together egg and 1 tablespoon water. Brush the risen loaves with egg mixture. Make a single long, quick cut down the center of the loaves with a sharp knife. Gently shake the cutting board to make sure that the loaves are not sticking. If they stick, use a spatula or pastry knife to loosen. Slide the loaves onto a baking sheet with one quick but careful motion.
• Bake in preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until loaves sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.