My adventures in bread-making have certainly come full circle this year. When I first started, I had problems with dough that was over-risen, under-risen and worse, dough that called me names behind my back.
Those days are over. Thanks in part to The Bread Baker’s Apprentice, Artisan Bread in 5, and Cook’s Illustrated, I have now become a Master of the Yeast Domain. No longer am I afraid of those tiny packets in the market, which used to strike fear and loathing in my heart.
Now, self-confident baker that I am, I buy the industrial sized packages of SAF Yeast from Costco.
I told you I’d come a long way.
A few weeks ago, I found the current issue of Cook’s Illustrated “Italian Favorites” while I was at Costco, and the first recipe I turned to was the Rustic Italian Bread.
And what a doozy it turned out to be. Don’t get me wrong, the end result was well worth the time and effort involved – I just didn’t realize I should have hired a babysitter for a batch of dough.
The dough starts out with a biga – which is just a blend of water, flour and yeast. It sits at room temperature anywhere from 8 to 24 hours, to allow the flavor to develop. The biga is mixed with additional flour, water and yeast – then the mixture is kneaded briefly to incorporate the ingredients. Easy enough, right? Great.
Now comes the waiting part. The dough is set aside to rise for an hour, then turned and allowed to rise again two more times, then shaped and allowed to rise one more hour before being baked. Granted, it’s not much hands-on work, so it easily fits into a day when you are in and out of the house. And, if you run out of time like I did, you can even hold the finished shaped loaf overnight in the refrigerator, then bake it the next day.
Since the directions are very specific, I’m not even going to attempt to print the recipe here. (Besides, we all know how fussy those people at C.I. are). Instead, if you’d like a copy, leave me your email address and I’ll send it to you.
But baker beware – this bread was not just good, it was outstanding - the crust was a perfect blend of chewy and crispy, the interior was light and airy, and the flavor was just sublime. I’ve made the bread three times already, and since it’s the weekend, I’m going to make it again.
At least I know I’ll have enough time to finish it.
The bread looks fantastic!! Great job!
The Lemon Sugar Snaps look wonderful too. I can almost taste them.
By: Sue on November 7, 2009
at 7:52 am
I have been looking for a recipe for rustic italian bread. I only have one bread cookbook, and it’s not in there. I just ordered hb in 5 and ab in 5 so maybe it will be in there, if not I’m going to be hitting you up for this recipe! It does look outstanding. I bet it disappears quickly in your house – it wouldn’t last long in mine
By: Kim on November 7, 2009
at 7:55 am
It looks perfect! I think the time and effort are definitely worth it for homemade bread.
By: Jill on November 7, 2009
at 8:25 am
That looks like a love rustic bread! and the cookies look great, too!
By: Jillian on November 7, 2009
at 12:33 pm
A fabulous loaf! Great crumb!!
By: Natashya on November 7, 2009
at 12:34 pm
I completely understand that babysitting bread comment. A few months ago I made something very similar to this that seemed to require an entire day’s efforts. Unfortunately, mine must not have been as tasty as yours (or I realized I’m just plain lazy) and I didn’t save the recipe. Thanks for a good lookin’ loaf.
By: Jelli on November 7, 2009
at 12:53 pm
Looks wonderful. Bread always intimidated me until Zoe showed me how to make a loaf.
By: Unplanned Cooking on November 7, 2009
at 2:22 pm
Your bread looks fantastic! Your hard work (time) has paid dividends in not only a good lookin’ bread, but one that has a great crumb and taste. So well worth the time ~
By: Frieda on November 7, 2009
at 3:57 pm
Homemade bread is the best! I’ve mostly conquered my fear of yeast too (as evidenced by the giant sized yeast package from my local warehouse club in the fridge)
The inside of this loaf looks fantastic. I love CI recipes and those magazines of theirs always tempt me at the grocery store!
By: Tracey on November 7, 2009
at 8:21 pm
That is certainly a perfect looking loaf of bread!
By: Katrina on November 7, 2009
at 9:01 pm
What a stunning, stunning, loaf of bread. The crumb is so pretty. Did you pinch yourself to see if you’re dreaming? You really did bake that!
We’ve had such a similar journey with yeast in 2009 – and hasn’t it been fun?! Do you have my email already? I’d be interested in a copy of that recipe.
By: Nancy/n.o.e on November 7, 2009
at 10:03 pm
Your loaf looks perfect! I hate when dough calls you names behind your back. Obviously that doesn’t happen to you anymore.
By: Wendy on November 8, 2009
at 6:33 am
That looks amazing! I’m not sure my yeast-baking skills are high enough to try this one, someday. I picked up a copy of the CI Italian Favorites too (Costco has such great deals on magazines); it has a lot of good recipes in it.
By: Margot on November 8, 2009
at 2:46 pm
Fantastic bread! You did a great job.
I would love the recipe.
By: Michele on November 8, 2009
at 11:20 pm
I shop at our local Costco…and must have missed the yeast…but I am going soon to get some. And quite possibly the magazine. I need to make this bread…I am still a tad fearful of yeast, but I’m getting better!!
Your bread looks FABULOUS. FABULOUS, I SAY!!!!!
By: juju73 on November 11, 2009
at 8:56 am
Ooh, thanks for the reminder. I’ve made this bread, but it’s been a long time. The last few times I’ve wanted Italian Bread, I’ve made the BBA one.
By: Di on November 11, 2009
at 9:48 am
Congrats on a perfect loaf of bread. Wish I had some right now! If you have a chance to send the recipe, I’d appreciate it.
By: Judy on November 14, 2009
at 10:47 am
Please oh please may I have the recipe?
By: Jan on January 8, 2010
at 7:44 pm
I would love this recipe.
By: Anita McRory on January 30, 2010
at 11:14 pm