Crusty Italian Bread Recipes

Here are her suggestions.

Ingredients:

500 gr. of wheat flour

270 gr. of lukewarm water

25 gr. of fresh brewer’s yeast

2 spoons of olive oil

1 spoon of honey

salt

Use lukewarm water to dilute the yeast, add to the flour and work it with a fork. Slowly add the water and salt. Keep mixing with the fork as long as you can.

When the dough gets too thick, start kneading the dough with your hands.

At the beginning the mixture might be sticky, add a little flour and keep working it until it´s smooth and elastic.

Let the dough leaven in a warm spot away from droughts.

Silvia’s secret is to forget about it and let it rise even for a whole night.

In the morning knead it again. At this point, if you wish, add olives, nuts, onions or raisins.

Give the dough your favorite shape and delicately carve tree cuts on the surface, put it away to rise for another hour.

Let it cook in the oven for about 40 min. or until it gets golden and crusty.

Silvia recommends to put a cup of water in the oven to avoid excessive drying.