Rustic Italian Crusty Bread

Classic Rustic Italian Bread is a traditional, time-honored representation of Italian bread-making techniques. This rustic, hearty bread is known for its thick, crunchy crust and soft, chewy interior, which features a slightly sour flavor. It is made using a simple combination of flour, water, yeast, and salt and is often leavened with a natural starter or sourdough culture.

Classic Rustic Italian Bread is typically baked in a round or oval shape, and the finished loaves are dusted with flour to give them a rustic, home-baked appearance. The bread is perfect for serving with olive oil and balsamic vinegar or for making sandwiches, paninis, and bruschetta. Its hearty texture and robust flavor make it an ideal accompaniment to various dishes, from Italian pasta and pizza to hearty stews and soups.

Classic Rustic Italian Bread is a delicious and nutritious way to enjoy traditional Italian cuisine’s rich, authentic flavors. Its hearty texture, complex flavor profile, and numerous health benefits make it a popular choice among bread lovers around the world.

Yield: 4

Author: Mellisa F

Print

With ImageWithout Image

Rustic Italian Crusty Bread

Rustic Italian crusty bread is known for its hearty, chewy texture and thick, crunchy crust.

Cook modePrevent screen from turning off

Ingredients

Ingredients for Rustic Italian Crusty Bread

• 3 To 1/2 cups flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 and 1/2 cups warm water
• 2 tsp instant yeast

Instructions

To Prepare Rustic Italian Crusty Bread

1. In a large mixing bowl combine the flour yeast and salt
2. Pour the warm water into mixing with a rubber spatula
3. Until it all comes together..it will be sticky
4. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and a towel and let rise for 3-4 hours
5. Sprinkle flour onto your work surface and place your dough onto it
6. Bring them together to form the shape you desire
7. Do not knead the dough..handle it as little as possible
8. Preheat your oven to 450 degrees
9. If you have a pizza stone place it in the oven while preheating
10. On the bottom shelf place an oven-safe pan with 2 inches of water in it
11. This will ensure a crispy crust
12. When the oven is preheated place the dough onto the pizza stone and bake for 25-35 minutes
13. Then place it on a cooling rack so you don’t lose the crunch
14. Enjoy!
15. You can use a baking sheet or enameled cast iron pan if you do not have a pizza stone.