DIY 4 ingredient Italian Bread

There’s nothing better than finding a simple healthy recipe that you can make at home. Especially when it comes to bread! Am I right, or am I right?! ;) For those of you that don’t have a gluten sensitivity this recipe may be the perfect substitute to store bought bread. Here’s what you’re going to do:

1.) Pour 1 packet (1/4 ounce) or in my case 2 and 1/4 teaspoons of active dry yeast into a large bowl. I use the Bobs Red Mill brand which can be found at Fred Myer in the refrigerator in the healthy section/organic section of the store. 

2.) Mix the dry active yeast with 6 and 1/4th cup flour (white or wheat), and combine 2 teaspoons sea salt. 

3.) Mix all the dry ingredients and then slowly add 3 cups warm water. You want it warm so it activates the  yeast, but not too hot. 

4.) Don’t kneed the dough too much, just mix everything till there is one big ball and let it sit on the counter for 2-3 hours to let the dough rise.

5.) Make sure you cover the bread bowl with either plastic wrap, a towel, or a beeswax wrap while it rises.   

6.) When the dough is almost done rising heat a pizza stone in the oven at 450 degrees F for 45 minutes. During this process set a pan of water at the bottom of the stove with about 2 inches of water in it. This water will eventually get hot enough to create a steam that will make the outside of your bread crunchy. If you don’t know where to get a pizza stone you can find them at Home Depot, Walmart, or other home good stores.

7.) Once the bread is done rising and the pizza stone has been heated for 45 minutes you are ready to take your bread out of the bowl. Use flour to dust your hands. This is a sticky process, and the bread will stick to the sides of the bowl, but this is normal. Resist kneeling it too much. Just pat it with a little flour and cut a small design in the top of the loaf. I just cut straight lines where I knew I would eventually cut the bread once it finished cooking. You could cut an X design. Do whatever your heart desires, but make sure to only cut it slightly. You aren’t actually cutting the dough in half at this point.

8.) Put the dough on top of the pizza stone in the oven, and cook for 45 minutes or until outside is golden brown. It's hard to see in the picture below, but there is a pot of hot water underneath the oven rack. As I said before this is what helps the bread have a more crispy crust. 

9.) Once finished I made a olive oil dip which included several spices listed below. 

• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2-1 whole head of roasted garlicpeeled
• 1 tsp dried parsley
• 1/2 tsp dried basil
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp sea salt plus any extra to taste
• 1/8 tsp paprika
• a pinch of dried thyme
• a pinch of cayenne or white pepper
• freshly ground black pepper to taste

10.) Combine all of these yummy spices. Mix well, and then spread them on a plate. You can then pour your olive oil on top of that. 

11.) Now you have beautiful Italian bread and dipping oil to share with friends and family! 

Comment below if you have any questions or recipes you’d like to share also!