Pane Altopascio - Tuscan Herb Bread

Ingredients

• 500g (4 cups) bread flour 500g (4 cups) bread flour
• 10g (2 tsp) active dry yeast 10g (2 tsp) active dry yeast
• 10g (2 tsp) salt 10g (2 tsp) salt
• 350ml (1 ½ cups) warm water 350ml (1 ½ cups) warm water
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped 2 tbsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp fresh thyme, finely chopped 2 tbsp fresh thyme, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced 3 cloves garlic, minced

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 220 kcal / 920 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 4g, 0.5g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 40g, 1g
• Protein: 7g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the bread flour, yeast, and salt.
2. 2.
   Gradually add the warm water and olive oil to the dry ingredients. Mix until a dough forms.
3. 3.
   Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 10 minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic.
4. 4.
   Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
5. 5.
   Punch down the dough and knead in the chopped rosemary, thyme, and minced garlic until evenly distributed.
6. 6.
   Shape the dough into a round loaf and place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
7. 7.
   Cover the loaf with a kitchen towel and let it rise for another 30 minutes.
8. 8.
   Preheat the oven to 220°C (425°F).
9. 9.
   Using a sharp knife, make shallow cuts on the top of the loaf in a crisscross pattern.
10. 10.
    Bake the bread for 25-30 minutes, or until it turns golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
11. 11.
    Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack before slicing and serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Fresh rosemary and thyme — Ensure the herbs are finely chopped to evenly distribute their flavors throughout the bread.
• Active dry yeast — Activate the yeast by dissolving it in warm water with a pinch of sugar before adding it to the dry ingredients.

Tips & Tricks

• For a more pronounced garlic flavor, roast the minced garlic in a little olive oil before adding it to the dough.
• Brush the top of the bread with olive oil before baking to achieve a glossy finish.
• Serve the bread warm with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a sprinkle of sea salt for an extra burst of flavor.

Serving advice

Pane Altopascio is best served warm, either on its own or alongside a bowl of hearty soup or a fresh salad. It can also be sliced and used as a base for bruschetta or crostini.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, sprinkle some fresh rosemary leaves on top of the loaf before baking. This will add a touch of green and a delightful aroma.