Homemade Scali Bread

Ingredients

• 4 cups (500g) bread flour 4 cups (500g) bread flour
• 2 teaspoons (7g) active dry yeast 2 teaspoons (7g) active dry yeast
• 2 teaspoons (10g) sugar 2 teaspoons (10g) sugar
• 1 ½ teaspoons (8g) salt 1 ½ teaspoons (8g) salt
• 1 ½ cups (355ml) warm water 1 ½ cups (355ml) warm water
• 2 tablespoons (28g) olive oil 2 tablespoons (28g) olive oil

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 180 kcal / 753 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 2g, 0.3g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 36g, 1g
• Protein: 6g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 0.9g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until the yeast becomes foamy.
2. 2.
   Add the flour, salt, and olive oil to the bowl. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
3. 3.
   Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes until the dough 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 divide it into two equal portions. Shape each portion into a long loaf.
6. 6.
   Place the loaves on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover them with a kitchen towel and let them rise for another 30 minutes.
7. 7.
   Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
8. 8.
   Bake the loaves for 20-25 minutes or until they turn golden brown.
9. 9.
   Remove from the oven and let the bread cool on a wire rack before slicing.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Bread flour — Bread flour is recommended for this recipe as it has a higher protein content, which helps develop gluten and gives the bread its desired texture. If you don't have bread flour, you can use all-purpose flour, but the bread may be slightly less chewy.

Tips & Tricks

• To achieve a crispier crust, you can brush the loaves with water before baking.
• For a richer flavor, you can add a tablespoon of honey to the dough.
• If you prefer a sweeter bread, you can increase the amount of sugar in the recipe.

Serving advice

Serve the freshly baked Scali Bread warm or at room temperature. It is delicious on its own, but you can also enjoy it with butter, olive oil, or your favorite spreads.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation of the Scali Bread, you can sprinkle some sesame seeds or poppy seeds on top of the loaves before baking. This adds a touch of visual appeal and a subtle nutty flavor.