Name: Mama D's Italian Bread
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Yield: 36
Ingredients: White sugar - 1 teaspoon; Active dry yeast - 1 tablespoon; Warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C) - 3 cups; All-purpose flour, divided, or as needed - 7 cups; Salt - 1 tablespoon; Cooking spray - 1 tablespoon

Ingredients for - Mama D's Italian Bread

1. White sugar 1 teaspoon

2. Active dry yeast 1 tablespoon

3. Warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C) 3 cups

4. All-purpose flour, divided, or as needed 7 cups

5. Salt 1 tablespoon

6. Cooking spray 1 tablespoon

How to cook deliciously - Mama D's Italian Bread

1 . Stage

Add sugar and yeast to the warm water and let proof.

2 . Stage

Stir in 4 cups flour and beat until smooth. Cover and let rest for 15 minutes.

3 . Stage

Beat in salt and then add enough remaining flour to make a stiff dough. Knead until soft and smooth. Turn in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled in size.

4 . Stage

Once doubled, punch down and divide into three. Place back in the bowl, cover, and let rise again.

5 . Stage

Once doubled, punch down and form into three fat "footballs." Grease heavy cookie sheets and sprinkle with cornmeal. Place the bread on the sheets, cover with a towel, and let rise.

6 . Stage

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).

7 . Stage

Mist loaves with water and place in the preheated oven. Bake until loaves are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom, 25 to 30 minutes. Mist loaves with water and turn occasionally while they bake.