After googling I found Pane Bianco from here . Doesn’t that look goooooood?!
The yeast I had was mostly useless as it had been opened a while, although I got a bit of a rise out of it. And with all the ingredients it was bound to have some good flavour going on, si?
This was my first time in memory using the dough hook attachments on my hand mixer. I don’t know why I was so surprised that it helped so much, but I was so proud of the springy little baby ball of dough that emerged! It LOOKED like bread dough whoop!
Anywho, I followed the instructions (properly for once) and a very decent loaf resulted. I’ll try again with fresh yeast once I remember to buy it. But, hey, if you don’t have any at home, go for it anyway. It’ll be a bit flat, so pass it off as twisted foccaccia, heh heh.
Dough
3 cups (361g) bread flour – I used Tesco Canadian Bread Flour. You can substitute regular flour, same measurement if you wish, just reduce the water to 1/4 cup or 60ml
2 teaspoons instant yeast – I used Allison Easy Bake Yeast
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1 large egg
1/2 cup (115ml) lukewarm milk – I used soya milk with no issue
1/3 cup (75ml) lukewarm water
3 tablespoons (45ml) olive oil
Filling
3/4 cup (85g) shredded Italian-blend cheese or the cheese, of your choice
1/2 cup (113g) oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes
3 to 6 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
1/3 cup (14g) chopped fresh basil, green or purple
Instructions
To make the dough: Combine all of the dough ingredients in a bowl (or the bucket of your bread machine), and mix and knead — by hand, using a mixer, or in your bread machine set on the dough cycle — to make a smooth, very soft dough. The dough should stick a bit to the bottom of the bowl if you’re using a stand mixer.
Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let it rise until it’s doubled in size, about 45 to 60 minutes. Note: When making anything with yeast, it’s best to let the dough rise to the point the recipe says it should, e.g., “doubled in bulk,” rather than watching the clock. Rising times are only a guide; there are so many variables in yeast baking that it’s impossible to say that bread dough will ALWAYS double in bulk in a specific amount of time.
Meanwhile, thoroughly drain the tomatoes, patting them dry. Use kitchen shears to cut them into smaller bits. Shears are also useful for slicing/chopping the basil.
Gently deflate the dough. Flatten and pat it into a 22″ x 8 1/2″ rectangle. Spread with the cheese, tomatoes, garlic, and basil.
Starting with one long edge, roll the dough into a log the long way. Pinch the edges to seal. Place the log seam-side down on a lightly greased or parchment-lined baking sheet.
Using kitchen shears, start 1/2″ from one end and cut the log lengthwise down the centre about 1″ deep, to within 1/2″ of the other end.
Keeping the cut side up, form an “S” shape. Tuck both ends under the center of the “S” to form a “figure 8;” pinch the ends together to seal.
Cover and let rise in a warm place until double, 45 to 60 minutes.
While the loaf is rising, preheat the oven to 350°F.
Uncover the bread, and bake it for 35 to 40 minutes, tenting it with foil after 20 to 25 minutes to prevent over-browning. *** Mine took way longer to cook, I suspect now comparing the original and my own I didn’t leave the slit and filling open long enough so too much moisture got trapped inside.
Remove the bread from the oven, and transfer it to a rack to cool. Enjoy warm or at room temperature. Store, well-wrapped, at room temperature for a couple of days; freeze for longer storage.
I got an egg in my arse a while ago to attempt a bread.
popandglug.com 