Like I said, maybe Carmela just popped into
a good Italian bakery for a few loaves of
Italian bread.
In New York, Italian bakeries are a dime a dozen compared to Maltese bakeries.
Ma had no choice.
If she wanted a taste of home, she had to bake it herself.
And so can you.
Don't get excited by the number of loaves.
Hobz loaves are small.
Orange-size balls of dough can only get so big.
Well, good things come in small packages.
A small hint: While kneading the dough, dip your hands in water to give the
dough a smooth elastic finish.
Hobz
Makes 7 - 9 loaves
In a small bowl, pour
1/2 Cup warm water (@ 110º F)
Sprinkle over the water
1 Tablespoon active dry yeast
1 Tablespoon sugar
Let stand about 5 minutes, then stir to dissolve.
In a large bowl combine
2 teaspoons salt
6 Cups flour
Make a small depression in the center.
Combine in a small bowl
1/3 Cup milk
1 1/2 Cups warm water (@ 110º F)
dissolved yeast/water mixture
Pour liquids into flour/salt depression.
Mix the flour with the liquids.
Make sure to knead in all the flour.
Knead until it is smooth and the sides of the bowl are clean.
Don't forget to occasionally dip your hands in water.
Cover dough with a towel and let rise in a warm place, about 3 hours.
Pull out orange-size balls and form into smooth balls.
Place them on a towel.
Cover with another towel and let rise for 30 minutes.
Roll one piece into a 1/4-inch thick circle.
Place it back on the towel.
Repeat with remaining balls.
Cover with a towel and let rise for 30 minutes.
Heat oven to 475º
Place dough directly on hot racks in oven.
As soon as dough rises into a mound (2 to 5 minutes), place under broiler
for a few seconds until lightly browned.
Cool.
Hobz freezes well.
Slice and serve, just like regular bread.
****
Or you can make a quick Cheese Pizza
In the side of a Hobz, slice a pocket
In the pocket arrange slices of
fresh tomatoes
cheese (mozzarella is nice)
Sprinkle with
oregano
Place Hobz on a baking sheet.
Bake in a hot oven until the cheese is melted.
