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Braided Italian Bread

Reggie Dwork <reggie@jeff-and-reggie.com>
Sat, 25 Jun 2022 23:16:28 -0700
v122.n021.5
* Exported from MasterCook *

                           Bread, Braided Italian

Recipe By     :Sweet Recipeas
Serving Size  : 16    Preparation Time :0:00
Categories    : Bread                           Bread-Bakers Mailing List
                 Fatfree                         Low Fat
                 Posted

   Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
                         For the biga starter
      3/4           cup  all-purpose flour
      1/2           cup  warm water -- (120-130F)
      1/4           tsp  RED STAR Platinum Superior Baking Yeast
                         For the bread dough
   2                tsp  RED STAR Platinum Superior Baking Yeast -- 
the remainder of the packet
      2/3           cup  warm water -- (120-130F)
   2 3/4           cups  all-purpose flour
   1                tsp  salt
                         For the topping
   1                     egg
   1               Tbsp  water
      1/4           cup  sesame seeds -- (to 1/3C) (you want to coat it good)

This Braided Italian Bread is made with a Biga starter. It's braided 
and has a sesame seed encrusted outside and soft inside.

Note: Red Star Platinum Superior Baking Yeast contains dough enhancer.

Yield: 1 loaf

For the Biga: Mix together the ingredients in a medium bowl. Cover 
with plastic wrap and let it sit overnight. It's best to set it in 
the warmest area of your home. It's not going to rise much but you 
should see bubbling and definitely smell the yeast.

For the dough: Using a stand mixer with the dough hook attached, add 
starter and the remainder of the dough ingredients. Knead the dough 
until a soft, smooth dough forms. All of this can be kneaded by hand 
if desired.

Transfer dough to a large, lightly greased bowl and cover with 
plastic wrap. Let rise for 45 minutes. Remove the plastic wrap and 
punch down the dough. Place the plastic wrap back on and let rise for 
another 45 to 60 minutes.

Transfer dough to a lightly greased kitchen island or counter.

Divide the dough into three equal pieces. Roll each piece of dough 
into a 16" rope.

Braid the ropes, tucking both ends under, and place on a greased 
baking sheet. Cover with more plastic wrap or a kitchen towel and let 
rise for another 90 minutes.

Preheat oven to 425F.

For the topping: Whisk the egg and water together and brush onto the 
braided dough. Sprinkle with sesame seedsâ?¦go heavy handed on that, 
you want a lot of them on there.

Bake the bread for 25 to 35 minutes. If you want a softer outside go 
for the shorter time. If you want a more crunchy bread go for the 
longer. The internal temperature should be 190F. Remove the bread 
from the oven and let cool on a rack.

Serve with butter or whatever you like!

Review: My first loaf of bread ever! Just made this with a whole 
wheat flour. Had to tweak the recipe to work with the courser flour 
but it worked great. Very simple from start to finish.

S(Internet address):
   https://redstaryeast.com/recipes/braided-italian-bread/
                                     - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 119 Calories; 2g Fat (13.2% 
calories from fat); 4g Protein; 22g Carbohydrate; 1g Dietary Fiber; 
13mg Cholesterol; 139mg Sodium.  Exchanges: 1 1/2 Grain(Starch); 0 
Lean Meat; 0 Fat.

NOTES : 2019 - 1230