Rustic Bread

This is a traditional Sicilian bread that you can make in the morning to get ahead

• Cooking Time Ready in 20-30 mins
• Skill Level Moderately easy
• Servings Makes 8

Nutrition per serving

• Kcalories

  137

• Protein

  4g

• Carbs

  24g

• Fat

  4g

• Saturates

  1g

• Fibre

  1g

• Sugar

  0g

• Salt

  0.94g

Ingredients

• 250g strong white bread flour
• 1 tsp fast-action dried yeast
• 1 tbsp olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
• 200ml sparkling water
• semolina, for sprinkling (optional)
• finely chopped rosemary and Maldon salt, for sprinklng

Directions

1. Heat oven to 220C/fan 200C/gas 7. Mix together the flour, yeast and 1/2 tsp salt. Add the oil, then pour in the water gradually, adding enough to make a soft dough. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 4-5 mins until the dough feels strong, bouncy and has a silky feel to it.
2. Cut the dough into 8 pieces, then roll out into rough rounds about 16-17cm in diameter. (Don't pile them on top of each other or they will stick together.)
3. Sprinkle a baking sheet or two with semolina if you have it, otherwise leave plain. Lay the breads on the sheets and let them sit for 5 mins, then scatter with rosemary, salt and pepper and drizzle with olive oil. Bake in batches for 8-10 mins until puffy and golden. Can be made 3-4 hrs ahead.

Categories: Cakes & Baking, Cuisines