Muffuletta Bread
- 1 cup warm water (110 F)
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 (1/4 ounce) package active dry yeast (about 1 tablespoon)
- 3 cups bread flour, approximately
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening
- sesame seeds
- In a 2 cup glass measuring cup, combine water and sugar.
- Stir in yeast. Let stand until foamy, 5-10 minutes.
- In a food processor fitted with the steel blade, combine 3 cups flour, salt and shortening.
- Add yeast mixture.
- Process until dough forms a ball, about 5 seconds. Stop machine, and check consistency of dough. It should be smooth and satiny.
- If dough is too dry, add more warm water, 1 tablespoon at a time, processing just until blended.
- If dough is too sticky, add more flour, 1 or 2 tablespoons at a time, processing just until blended. Process 20 seconds to knead.
- Lightly oil a large bowl, swirling to coat bottom and sides.
- Place dough in the oiled bowl, and turn dough to coat all sides.
- Cover bowl with plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm, draft-free place until doubled in bulk,.
- about 1 1/2 hours.
- Lightly grease a baking sheet.
- When dough has doubled in bulk, punch down dough, and turn out onto a lightly floured surface.
- Form dough into a round loaf about 10" in diameter, and place on a greased baking sheet.
- Sprinkle top of loaf with sesame seeds.
- Press seeds gently into surface of loaf.
- Cover very loosely with plastic wrap, and let rise until almost doubled in bulk, 1 hour.
- Place rack in center of oven.
- Preheat oven to 425.
- Remove plastic wrap.
- Bake loaf in center of preheated oven, for 10 minutes.
- Reduce heat to 375, and bake 25 minutes.
- The loaf is done when it sounds hollow when tapped on bottom.
- Cool completely on a rack before slicing.
warm water, sugar, active dry yeast, bread flour, salt, vegetable shortening, sesame seeds
Taken from www.food.com/recipe/muffuletta-bread-269636 (may not work)