Greek Bread

           Psomi Spitiko




Greek Bread is a very simple bread to make.  It is perfect for a last minute touch to a meal or for an evening snack because you can get it ready in 90 minutes.  Here's the plan:

Ingredients:

• 3 3/4 cups of bread (or all-purpose) flour
• 1 1/2 cups of lukewarm water
• 1 packet (1/4 oz) of dry yeast
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1 teaspoon of salt

Dissolve yeast in the warm water.

In a mixing bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups of flour, salt, oil, and yeast with water, and mix until thoroughly blended. Cover tightly (plastic wrap works well) and let sit for 30 minutes.

Add 1 1/2 cups of flour to the yeast mixture and combine with hands to form a cohesive dough. Turn out onto a floured work surface and knead in as much of the remaining flour as needed until the dough is smooth and doesn't stick to hands.

Make the Loaves

Shape into two loaves, place on a nonstick cookie sheet, and place on the middle rack in a cold oven for 15 minutes.

Turn on oven to 425°F (220°C) and bake on the middle rack for 30 minutes or until golden.

Cool on a rack.

Notes:

• The loaves will rise while in the cold oven, and will rise further when baking, so allow adequate space between.
• To create a more crusty top, just before baking score the loaves 2-3 times diagonally across the top.