Here is my Italian bread recipe.

[callmaker60]

In a large bowl,
3 cups of bread flour
1 pack of rapid rise yeast
1 table spoon of sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
mix well....
then i add 1 cup 110 deg. water
1 table spoon of honey
2 table spoons of oil
Then I mix with my stand mixer,
remove it knead by hand for 10 min.
place in an oiled bowl that's covered and put into a warm place for 1 hour to rise.
remove from bowl, shape on cookie sheet dusted with corn meal to your loaf shape, cover with towel, let rise another hour.
pop into a preheated oven @375 for 25 minutes + or_..
I also put a metal pan under the cookie sheet with ice in it for some steam.

 

[DianaP81]

the recipe is perfect ... I only have one doubt ... why put the honey??

 

[callmaker60]

I looked at many recipe's on youtube, a lot put 2 tbsp. of sugar, some just put honey, so i figured i would try 1 tbsp of sugar and 1 tbsp of honey, and it works great.

 

[DianaP81]

ah...that's ok...I try as soon as possible!!!

 

[callmaker60]

DianaP81, if and when you try it, let me/us know how it turned out and how you like it.

 

[DianaP81]

Of course with great pleasure...

 

[Roll_Bones]

Why ice? Wouldn't hot water work better? To make steam almost immediately is what I mean.
And if I used regular yeast, I would have to dissolve it in warm water first?

 

[callmaker60]

I think the ice just gives an instant flash of steam, and you can add more later.
I am sure hot water would be fine also.
I added my yeast into the flour, didn't proof it first in hot water.

 

[jennyema]

Why ice? Wouldn't hot water work better? To make steam almost immediately is what I mean.
And if I used regular yeast, I would have to dissolve it in warm water first?

Boiling water will create steam before ice cubes will.

I think ice cubes are often used because most people preheat their "steam pan" (like a cast iron skillet) while they are preheating their oven and its a bit easier to toss in ice cubes than monkey with hot water.

Also ice will bring the oven temp down more than hot water.

Be very careful about using stem in an electric oven. It can wreck the electronics.