I like all the bread recipes I've ever met but I absolutely LOVE this crusty old-world bread brushed with garlic butter and served with a hot bowl of creamy potato soup! It's a bit time consuming but it's worth the wait.
Mix all ingredients except 1/2 cup flour into a large mixing bowl until well combined and dough is very sticky. Cover and let rise at room temperature for 2 hours.
Sprinkle the top of the dough with flour and generously grease your hands. This will keep the dough from sticking to you. Pull off a piece about the size of a large grapefruit. Place dough onto floured surface and shape into short log. Place dough onto lightly greased baking sheet. Lightly dust dough with flour. Let rise for 1 hour.
After 1 hour it will not look like it has risen much. Preheat your oven to 450 degrees F while the dough rests. With sharp knife make 3 half inch deep cuts across top.
Place baking sheet on middle rack of oven. Fill spray bottle with water and spritz oven floor 5 separate times within the first 10 minutes of baking to create steam. Close oven door quickly each time to enclose steam. Bake for 25-35 minutes or until a deep golden brown. Makes 3-4 loaves.
Biscuit Mix
10 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup baking powder
4 Tbs granulated sugar
1 Tbs salt
1 1/4 cups shortening or oil
Sift together flour, baking powder, sugar and salt in large mixing bowl. Cut shortening or oil into flour until mixture resembles course crumbs. Store in air-tight container for up to three months or in freezer for six months.
To use mix; Stir in enough milk or water to form a ball.
Turn onto lightly floured surface and knead for 1 minute. Pat or roll out to 1/2 inch thickness. Cut with round cutter but do not twist wrist. Biscuits will rise higher. Bake at 450° F for 10-12 minutes. If you want a soft crust, brush with melted margarine. Makes 12-16.
