Pane Toscano - Tuscan Bread

Ingredients

• 500g (4 cups) bread flour 500g (4 cups) bread flour
• 350ml (1 ½ cups) water 350ml (1 ½ cups) water
• 10g (2 tsp) active dry yeast 10g (2 tsp) active dry yeast
• 10g (2 tsp) salt 10g (2 tsp) salt

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 180 kcal / 753 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 0.5g, 0.1g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 38g, 0.5g
• Protein: 6g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 1.2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt.
2. 2.
   Dissolve the yeast in warm water and let it sit for 5 minutes until frothy.
3. 3.
   Pour the yeast mixture into the flour mixture and stir until a shaggy dough forms.
4. 4.
   Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
5. 5.
   Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for 2 hours or until doubled in size.
6. 6.
   Punch down the dough and shape it into a round loaf.
7. 7.
   Place the loaf on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and let it rise for another hour.
8. 8.
   Preheat the oven to 220°C (425°F).
9. 9.
   Score the top of the loaf with a sharp knife and bake for 30-35 minutes until golden brown.
10. 10.
    Remove from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack before slicing.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Flour — Use bread flour for the best results, as it has a higher protein content which helps create a chewy texture.
• Yeast — Make sure the yeast is fresh and active to ensure proper fermentation.
• Salt — Use fine sea salt or kosher salt for better flavor distribution in the dough.

Tips & Tricks

• For a crispier crust, place a pan of water in the oven while baking to create steam.
• To enhance the flavor, you can add a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil to the dough.
• Experiment with different toppings like rosemary, garlic, or olives to add extra flavor to the bread.
• Allow the bread to cool completely before slicing to prevent it from becoming gummy.
• Leftover bread can be used to make delicious homemade croutons or breadcrumbs.

Serving advice

Serve Pane Toscano warm or at room temperature. It pairs well with olive oil and balsamic vinegar for dipping. You can also use it as a base for bruschetta or crostini, or enjoy it alongside soups, stews, or antipasti.

Presentation advice

Present the Pane Toscano as a whole loaf on a wooden cutting board or rustic bread basket. You can sprinkle some flour on top for an authentic touch. Alternatively, slice the bread and arrange it on a platter with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of sea salt.