Pane Rustico with Herbs and Garlic

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
• 4 cloves garlic, minced 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped 2 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
• 2 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped 2 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• Olive oil, for brushing Olive oil, for brushing

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 1g, 0g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 52g, 1g
• Protein: 8g
• Fiber: 3g
• 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 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 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 transfer it to a floured surface.
6. 6.
   Flatten the dough and sprinkle the minced garlic, rosemary, thyme, and parsley evenly over the surface.
7. 7.
   Fold the dough over itself and knead gently to distribute the herbs and garlic evenly.
8. 8.
   Shape the dough into a round or oval loaf and place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
9. 9.
   Cover the loaf with a kitchen towel and let it rise for another 30 minutes.
10. 10.
    Preheat the oven to 220°C (425°F).
11. 11.
    Brush the loaf with olive oil and make a few shallow slashes on the top with a sharp knife.
12. 12.
    Bake the bread for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown and crusty.
13. 13.
    Remove from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack before slicing and serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Garlic — Make sure to mince the garlic finely to evenly distribute its flavor throughout the bread.
• Fresh herbs — Use fresh herbs for the best flavor. If you don't have access to fresh herbs, you can substitute with dried herbs, but reduce the quantity by half.

Tips & Tricks

• For a more pronounced garlic flavor, roast the garlic cloves before mincing and adding them to the dough.
• Experiment with different herb combinations such as basil, oregano, or sage to customize the flavors to your liking.
• To achieve a crustier bread, place a pan of water in the oven while baking to create steam.

Serving advice

Serve Pane Rustico warm or at room temperature. It pairs well with soups, salads, or as a side to pasta dishes. For an extra touch, drizzle the sliced bread with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt before serving.

Presentation advice

Present the Pane Rustico on a wooden cutting board or rustic bread basket. Slice it diagonally to showcase the beautiful interior and the herb and garlic specks.