Raisin Semolina Bread / Pane di San Francesco

Directions

1. In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in 1 cup of the warm water. Add the honey and let the yeast proof for 5 minutes or until foamy.
2. Stir in the remaining 3/4 cup water and the olive oil. Add 3 1/2 cups of the flour along with the salt and mix with your hands into a rough ball. Add the raisins and lemon peel and continue to work the dough, adding additional flour as necessary, until the dough is no longer sticky. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead it until soft and very smooth, about 5 minutes.
3. Generously grease a large bowl with olive oil and add the dough, turning to coat. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for about 2 hours until doubled in size.
4. Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Set a baking stone on the lowest rack to preheat for at least 20 minutes, or butter a cookie sheet. Punch the dough down and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead the dough for about 5 minutes. Then roll it under your palms into a 26-inch long log. Turn the dough in on itself from each end until the two ends meet in the middle, like a pretzel.
5. If using a baking stone, place the loaf on a peel dusted with cornmeal or place on a cookie sheet. Cover and let rise for 20 minutes.
6. Brush the top of the loaf with the beaten egg yolk. If using a baking stone, dust with cornmeal, and slide the loaf from the peel onto the stone. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean. If using a cookie sheet, bake for 35 to 45 minutes, until the crust is a shiny brown. Remove the bread to a wire rack to cool.