Italian Bread

Ingredients:

• 4 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 1 teaspoon of sugar
• 1 packet of active dry yeast
• 1 1/2 cups of warm water
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1 egg, beaten

Instructions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, and sugar.
2. In a separate bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water and let it sit for 5 minutes.
3. Add the yeast mixture and olive oil to the flour mixture and stir until a dough forms.
4. Knead the dough on a floured surface for 5-10 minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic.
5. Place the dough in a large greased bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let it rise for 1 hour.
6. Punch down the dough and shape it into a round loaf. Place it on a greased baking sheet.
7. Cover the loaf with a clean towel and let it rise for another 45 minutes.
8. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
9. Brush the beaten egg over the top of the loaf.
10. Bake the bread for 30-35 minutes, until it turns golden brown.
11. Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool before slicing and serving.