Italian Bread - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 (1/4 oz.) pkg. active dry yeast
3 c. warm (110~ to 115~) water
1 Tbsp. salt
1 egg, beaten
3 Tbsp. sugar
3 Tbsp. shortening
8 to 10 c. all-purpose flour, divided
melted butter

Preparation

Dissolve yeast, sugar and shortening in water.
Stir in 4 cups flour, salt and egg; beat until smooth.
Stir in enough remaining flour to form a stiff dough.
Turn out onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6 to 8 minutes.
Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top.
Cover and allow to rise in a warm place, punching dough down every 10 minutes, for 1 hour. Then allow dough to rise for 1 additional hour, or until doubled. Punch dough down; let rest 10 minutes.