Pane Bianco Recipe
Ingredients
For the dough:
- 3 cups King Arthur Unbleached Bread Flour* (see note)
- 1 package (2¼ tsp, ¼oz, 7g) RED STAR Platinum Superior Baking Yeast
- 1¼ teaspoons salt
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup lukewarm milk (120-130°F)
- ⅓ cup lukewarm water (120-130°F)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- ¾ cup shredded Italian-blend cheese or the cheese of your choice
- ½ cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes or your own oven-roasted tomatoes
- 3 to 6 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
- ⅓ cup chopped fresh basil, green or purple
- 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.
- Meanwhile, thoroughly drain the tomatoes, patting them dry. Use kitchen shears to cut them into smaller bits.
- Gently deflate the dough. Flatten and pat it into a 22x8½ -inch rectangle. Evenly spread the cheese, tomatoes, garlic, and basil over dough.
- 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 ½ inch from one end and cut the log lengthwise down the center about 1-inch deep, to within ½ inch 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.
- 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.
Recipe Source : Pane Bianco @ redstaryeast