Loafing around

Check out the link to my YouTube video 'How to make crusty no-knead Italian bread'
https://youtu.be/NIv-9hz57k4 

Italian bread, just the thought of it makes me smile.  I think back to a time years ago while driving home from my construction job in Philly, how I'd stop at Lanci's bakery at 17th and Jackson for a fresh baked loaf of Italian bread to bring home.  I'd rip into the bread during the ride and by the time I walked in my front door I'd have maybe a half loaf under my arm.

My homemade crusty Italian bread

It's been over 40 years since I first walked into Lanci's bakery but I can assure you that I still remember the taste and smell of their bread.  I've been on a quest for many years to find a local bakery that makes something similar but gave that idea up a long time ago knowing that I'd have to try making it myself if I want that old fashion taste.  It wasn't until the past few months that I started thinking about actually trying to replicate their bread in the best way that I could.

Lanci's famous hard crust Italian bread

For a six months I've been searching the websites and youtube videos looking for recipes.  If you get a chance, que up Chef Pasquale on youtbube.  I was able to make decent Italian bread using his easy to watch videos.  This guy is so fun to watch and learn from.  I also learned from the 'Italian Grandma' Gina, on Youtube.  Her videos are awesome to watch as well and you'll learn so many tasty Italian dishes to make from her channel.  Both video channels have easy to follow bread videos which taught me the foundation of bread making.  I baked many loafs from each of their methods but I still wasn't content until I found something with the taste and texture of Lanci's bakery.

As time went by I found a YouTube channel called Living traditions Homested and his no knead crunchy bread.  His bread looked like what I was hoping for and after trying it I was convinced that I found something so similar to Lanci's bread.  Now, let me say that Lanci's bread was made in an old brick hearth oven built in the 1890's.  This 'no-knead' bread dough recipe is in no way a direct substitute for the taste or experience of eating a hearth baked roll.  With that being said I will challenge anyone to show me a bread that can be made at home, in your own oven, that tastes so close to those ancient methods used by old world bakers.  If you have a recipe that does please share it with me.

So, if you want to check out my debut Youtube video where I show you step by step preparing and baking a 'no-knead' crunchy Italian bread then this is for you.  If you decide to try the recipe I'm convinced it will amaze you as much as it did me.

Check it out here....https://youtu.be/NIv-9hz57k4