Italian Fried Dough Sandwiches

This is a very yummy treat that we have occasionally. This is another favorite from Chris' Italian grandmother! :-) They are very simple to make and don't take much time, but since they are fried we don't eat them nearly as often as we'd like!

You can actually use any kind of meat and cheese in these, but this is how we like them...we've done regular honey ham and cheese before, but again, we prefer the Italian meats.

Here's the recipe for the dough, which we found here. In steps 2&3 though, I just use my Kitchen Aid Mixer with the bread hook on it.

Ingredients:
1 cup warm water
3 Tbsp sugar, divided
2 Tbsp yeast
3 Tbsp oil
1 cup milk
1 tsp salt
6-7 cups flour, divided

Directions:
1. Begin by measuring into a large mixing bowl 1 cup of warm water. Add 1 tbsp of sugar, stir to dissolve. Add 2 tbsp of yeast (or two packets). Sprinkle the yeast onto the top of the entire surface of the water, so the little yeast buds are all moistened. Let this sit for about five minutes. The yeast will begin to bubble and form a foam on the top of the water.

2. Add 3 tbsp of oil, 1 cup milk, 1 tsp salt (or less, depending on personal taste), and 2 more tbsp of sugar. Mix well, add three cups of flour and stir 50 times clockwise, and then 50 times counter-clockwise. At the end of this step, when you dip a spoon in the batter and raise it out of the bowl, the batter kind of strings its way off the spoon back into the bowl.

3. Add another 3 to 4 cups of flour and mix until the dough forms a good ball, coming away from the sides of the bowl. (You may need to add a little more flour.) Turn the dough out of the bowl onto a floured surface and let it sit for ten minutes (if you are in a hurry, you can skip this waiting time.) Knead the dough five to ten minutes. The more kneading, the nicer the crumb and the texture of the bread. The dough should be just a little bit sticky. If it is too sticky, however, sprinkle with flour during the kneading process.

4. When you have finished kneading the bread, roll it into a big round ball and put it in a greased bowl, rolling the dough around in the bowl so a thin film of oil covers the dough, and cover the bowl with a cloth or paper towels.

5. Let it rise in a warm place for about an hour. It should double in size. "Punch down" the dough. That is, make a fist and press it right into the middle of the dough. It will deflate. That's OK. It's what it's supposed to do. Let it rise again until almost double, for about another 30 minutes.

6. Divide the dough into two equal parts and let it rest for 10 minutes.

7. Place one dough ball into the fridge (rubbed with oil, placed in glass bowl, covered with plastic wrap so it doesn't dry out - use the following day or two). Use the other dough ball as directed below.


Italian Dried Dough Sandwiches

Ingredients:
1 dough ball (see above)
flour
olive oil
salt
Italian deli meats - salami, pepperoni, Italian ham - I will put the exact ones we use later, when I have it in front of me!
American Cheese

Directions:
1. Cut a bread hunk of bread dough off the dough ball, about the size and thickness of your hand (minus your fingers). Sprinkle flour on a space on the counter to roll out your dough. With a rolling pin, roll out dough until it's as thick/thin as you'd like it to be. We usually make ours about 1/4 inch or so thick.
2. Heat oil in small skillet over medium heat.
3. Place rolled out dough in skillet and cook on one side for about 2 minutes, or until it's a nice golden brown. Flip dough over and cook the other side. It's best to NOT turn the heat up too hot, because you'll cook the outside too quick and the inside will still be raw! YUCK! You want to make sure it cooks all the way through!!! So, the thicker the dough, the longer it will need to cook!
4. When it's done, remove the dough onto a papertowel to absorb any extra oil. Sprinkle with salt (if desired). Keep warm (or give out to people to eat as you make them!)...they are best still warm!
5. Repeat with remaining dough.
6. Slice dough in half like a roll, so you can stuff it with your cheese and meat.
7. Add one slice of cheese and whatever Italian meats (or regular deli meats) you have.
8. Enjoy!