Instructions: Cook oil, onions and peppers slowly in a large skillet over medium-low heat until the onions are transparent. When you cook onions and peppers slowly, the natural sugars caramelize, and they become quite sweet. Set aside to cool to lukewarm.

In a large bowl, stir yeast into warm water to soften. Add salt, sugar, 2 cups flour, 1 cup cheese, and the cooled peppers. Beat vigorously for 2 minutes.

Gradually add flour, a little at a time, until you have a dough stiff enough to knead. Turn dough out onto a floured surface. Knead, adding flour as necessary, until you have a smooth, elastic dough. Put the dough into an oiled bowl. Turn once to coat the entire ball of dough with oil. Cover with towel and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour.

Turn the dough out onto a work surface. Knead in the remaining 1 cup cheese, leaving large streaks of the cheese visible. The streaks will toast and add an attractive look to the bread, not to mention a marvelous flavor.

Shape the dough into a ball. Flatten the top slightly, and place on a well-greased baking sheet. Cover with a towel and let rise for 45 minutes.

Just before baking, brush the tops of the loaves with cold water and sprinkle with coarse sea salt, if desired. Slit the loaf in three places, about 1/2-inch deep, across the top.

For added crispness, steam should be added to the oven for the first 10 minutes of baking. You can put 2 cups of ice cubes directly on the floor of your oven. By the time they have melted and evaporated the 10 minutes is usually up. Since some people have trouble working with this theory, you can also put a pan of boiling water on the bottom shelf of the oven and remove it after the first 10 minutes of baking. Just be sure to work quickly to prevent loss of oven heat.

Bake in a preheated 400F oven for 30 minutes, or until done. Immediately remove bread from baking sheet and cool on a rack.

Makes 1 large loaf.

Note: This bread makes marvelous buns. When ready to shape, divide the dough into 12 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a ball. Place about 3 inches apart on well-greased baking sheets. Flatten tops slightly. Just before baking, brush the top with cold water and sprinkle with coarse sea salt, if desired. Slit each bun twice across the top, about 1/4-inch deep. Bake in a preheated 400F oven for 18 minutes, or until done. Steam, as mentioned above, will make these buns extra crisp and crunchy.

NOTES : Fugassa bread is especially pretty when you use different colored peppers. Red, yellow and green create the best color, as black or dark purple peppers, when cooked, become a disappointing gray. Serve this hearty bread with cold meat or pasta salad or a refreshing chilled soup for a cool, easy summer meal.

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