Seductive Italian Loaves
Unleash your inner kitchen dom and take control with this provocative recipe that turns dough into two tantalizing loaves of crusty Italian bread. Let your bread machine knead your creation into submission before you give it the heat it deserves in the oven.
Seduce your ingredients together. Warm water, olive oil, flour, brown sugar, salt, and yeast ready for the mixer in the order they crave or as your machine likes it dominated. Initiate the Dough cycle foreplay, lasting about 90 minutes of pure anticipation.
Liberally dust your domain (cutting board) with cornmeal. With a gentle yet firm touch, punch down your dough. Then, on a lightly floured surface, shape your desires into two loaves.
Lay your loaves down, seam-side in submission, on the dusted cutting board. Cover with a damp cloth, letting them rise and swell until doubled, about 40 minutes of building excitement.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to get it hot and ready.
Mix egg with 1 tablespoon of water and lovingly brush this mixture over your risen loaves, giving them a tender shine.
With a swift and confident movement, use a sharp knife to leave your mark with one long, deep slash down the center of each loaf.
Ensure none are sticking to the board; tease them loose if they resist. Then with a dominant flick, transfer your loaves onto a baking sheet.
Bake in the oven until they're golden brown, and sound hollow when tapped—about 30 to 35 minutes of ecstasy.