Cuban Bread Recipe

1 Package Active Dry Yeast
1 1/2 Cups Warm Water (110 Degrees F)
1 1/2 Teaspoons Granulated Sugar
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
1 Teaspoon Salt
3 1/4 To 3 1/2 Cups Bread Flour
vegetable Oil (for Greasing)

sprinkle Yeast Over 1/2 Cup Of The Warm Water In A Large Mixing Bowl. Add Sugar, And Let Stand For 5 Minutes. Stir In Remaining 1 Cup Water, The Olive Oil And Salt. Slowly Add The Flour, 1 Cup At A Time, And Mix To Make A Dough. Turn The Dough Out Onto A Lightly Floured Work Surface And Knead For About 4 Minutes, Or Until The Dough Is Satiny And Elastic. Place Dough In A Lightly Oiled Bowl, Cover With Plastic Wrap Or A Damp Towel, And Let Rise In A Warm Place Until Doubled In Bulk, About 1 1/2 Hours.

punch Down The Dough And Shape It Into A 12-inch Long Oblong Loaf. Place The Loaf On A Lightly Greased Baking Sheet (or One Dusted With Cornmeal), Cover It With A Towel, And Allow It To Rise For 30 Minutes.

brush Loaf Lightly With Warm Water. Bake It On The Baking Sheet In A Preheated 400 Degrees F Oven Until It Is Golden Brown And Sounds Hollow When The Bottom Is Tapped, About 35 Minutes. Remove The Bread And Cool It On A Wire Rack Before Serving.

makes 1 Large Loaf.