Pane Valle Maggia - Swiss Cheese Bread

Ingredients

• 500g (4 cups) all-purpose flour 500g (4 cups) all-purpose flour
• 10g (2 tsp) active dry yeast 10g (2 tsp) active dry yeast
• 10g (2 tsp) sugar 10g (2 tsp) sugar
• 10g (2 tsp) salt 10g (2 tsp) salt
• 250ml (1 cup) milk, warmed 250ml (1 cup) milk, warmed
• 60g (1/4 cup) unsalted butter, melted 60g (1/4 cup) unsalted butter, melted
• 200g (7 oz) Swiss cheese, cut into small cubes 200g (7 oz) Swiss cheese, cut into small cubes

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 12g, 7g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 45g, 3g
• Protein: 14g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast and sugar in warm milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes until frothy.
2. 2.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in the yeast mixture and melted butter.
3. 3.
   Mix the ingredients together until a dough forms. 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 Swiss cheese cubes until evenly distributed.
6. 6.
   Shape the dough into a round loaf and place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover it with a kitchen towel and let it rise for another 30 minutes.
7. 7.
   Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).
8. 8.
   Bake the bread for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped on the bottom.
9. 9.
   Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack before slicing and serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Swiss cheese — Use a high-quality Swiss cheese with a good melting capacity, such as Emmental or Gruyère, for the best flavor and texture.

Tips & Tricks

• For a more pronounced cheese flavor, you can add a sprinkle of grated Swiss cheese on top of the bread before baking.
• Serve the Pane Valle Maggia warm for the best taste and texture.
• If you prefer a softer crust, you can brush the bread with melted butter immediately after removing it from the oven.

Serving advice

Pane Valle Maggia is best served warm, either on its own or accompanied by a bowl of soup or a fresh salad. It can also be sliced and used as a base for sandwiches or toasted for a delicious breakfast treat.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, you can sprinkle some fresh herbs, such as thyme or rosemary, on top of the bread before baking. This will add a touch of color and aroma.