PANE BIANCO
http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/pane-bianco-recipe?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=content&utm_content=&sf60273158=1
Pane Bianco
This recipe makes a tasty loaf filled with fresh basil, tomatoes, garlic, and shredded cheese; the bread has wonderful soft texture, and is packed with flavor. The unique shape is simple to achieve, and makes an impressive presentation.
PREP 30 mins. BAKE 35 mins. to 40 mins. TOTAL 2 hrs 40 mins.
YIELD 1 loaf, about 20 slices
DOUGH
3 cups Unbleached Bread Flour* (361g)
2 teaspoons instant yeast
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1 large egg
1/2 cup lukewarm milk (113g)
1/3 cup lukewarm water (74g)
3 tablespoons olive oil (35g)
*See "tips," below.
FILLING
3/4 cup shredded Italian-blend cheese or the cheese of your choice (85g)
1/2 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes or your own oven-roasted tomatoes (113g)
3 to 6 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
1/3 cup chopped fresh basil, green or purple (14g)
Instructions
To make the dough: Combine all of the dough ingredients in a bowl (or the bucket of your bread machine), and mix and knead - by hand, using a mixer, or in your bread machine set on the dough cycle - to make a smooth, very soft dough. The dough should stick a bit to the bottom of the bowl if you're using a stand mixer.
Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let it rise for 45 to 60 minutes, or until it's doubled in size.
Meanwhile, thoroughly drain the tomatoes, patting them dry. Use kitchen shears to cut them into smaller bits.
Gently deflate the dough. Flatten and pat it into a 22" x 8 1/2" rectangle. Spread with the cheese, tomatoes, garlic, and basil.
Starting with one long edge, roll the dough into a log the long way. Pinch the edges to seal. Place the log seam-side down on a lightly greased or parchment-lined baking sheet.
Using kitchen shears, start 1/2" from one end and cut the log lengthwise down the center about 1" deep, to within 1/2" of the other end.
Keeping the cut side up, form an "S" shape. Tuck both ends under the center of the "S" to form a "figure 8;" pinch the ends together to seal.
Cover and let rise in a warm place until double, 45 to 60 minutes.
While the loaf is rising, preheat the oven to 350°F.
Uncover the bread, and bake it for 35 to 40 minutes, tenting it with foil after 20 to 25 minutes to prevent over-browning.
Remove the bread from the oven, and transfer it to a rack to cool. Enjoy warm or at room temperature. Store, well-wrapped, at room temperature for a couple of days; freeze for longer storage.
TIPS FROM OUR BAKERS
*Substitute all-purpose flour 1:1 for the bread flour in the recipe, if desired. Reduce the water to 1/4 cup.
When making anything with yeast, including this bread, let the dough rise to the point the recipe says it should, e.g., "Let the dough rise until it's doubled in bulk." Rising times are only a guide; there are so many variables in yeast baking that it's impossible to say that bread dough will ALWAYS double in bulk in a specific amount of time.
Chop your basil with kitchen shears, just as you do the sun-dried tomatoes.
Two commenters:
Made this yesterday -- only 1/2 a recipe because I needed only one bread. A few changes. Didn't have the right kind of tomatoes, so I roasted one in the oven. Had no fresh basil so I used a teaspoon of dried basil. Before baking I painted the dough periphery of the folded loaf with olive oil and sprinkled it with poppy seeds. Result: Looked gorgeous, tasted fabulous.
I was very careful to fill just what the recipe asks for. So as a caution don't overfill and your bread will come out perfect.
Nutrition:
Serving Size 1 slice, 44g
Calories 58
Calories from Fat 17
Total Fat 2g
Saturated Fat 1g
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 7mg
Sodium 86mg
Total Carbohydrate 8g
Dietary Fiber 1g
Sugars 0g
Protein 2g