Cuban Water Bread

Ingredients

• Servings: 2
• 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 2 cups warm water (110 degrees f/45 degrees c)
• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 8 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon cornmeal
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional)
• 2 tablespoons cold water

Recipe

• in a large bowl dissolve the yeast in the warm water or potato water. add sugar and salt and mix well. stir in 7 cups of the flour.
• on a well-floured surface, knead dough for 7 minutes, incorporating in the last cup of flour. place dough in a greased bowl. let rise until doubled.
• using a lightly floured board, form dough into 2 long or round loaves. sprinkle cornmeal on greased baking sheet; place loaves on top. slash top with a sharp knife. cover, and let rise until almost doubled.
• brush top of loaves with cold water. sprinkle with sesame seeds, if desired. place in a cold oven.
• turn oven to 400 degrees f (200 degrees c). bake for 45 minutes, or until nicely browned. brush twice during baking time with cold water.