Belfast Baps
2 1/2 cups warm water
pinch of salt
pinch of sugar
2 tablespoons active dry yeast
6 1/2-7 cups bread flour
rice flour
Place warm water in bowl. Water should be just warm to touch, about 90-100
degrees. Add salt, sugar and yeast. Stir to dissolve the yeast. Let sit about 5
minutes. Add 3 cups of flour and beat until smooth. Gradually add the remaining
flour, until dough pulls away from sides of bowl. Knead with a dough hook or by
hand, until dough is smooth and elastic. Place in oiled bowl and cover with
plastic wrap. Let rise until doubled, about 1 1/2 hours. Punch down and divide
into four equal pieces. Form each piece into a ball, using rice flour on the
board. Place close together on a baking sheet, be sure top is covered with rice
flour. Let rise again for about 45 minutes. Bake in a preheated oven at 400
degrees for 30 minutes. Convection baking works well on this bread if you have
that option (bake at 375 degrees in that case). Turn the broiler on during the
last 5 minutes. But don't walk away! Watch carefully. The top should be a deep
brown. Set to cool on rack and listen to the crackle!