Italian Bread and Biscuits Recipes - Sicilian Bread (Pane Siciliano) Recipe

Ingredients

• 750 g/1 1/2 lb/6 cups strong white (bread) flour

• 10 ml/2 tsp salt

• 15 g/1/2 oz/1 tbsp easy-blend dried yeast

• 45 ml/3 tbsp olive oil

• 15 ml/1 tbsp chopped fresh sage

• 1 garlic clove, crushed

• 450 ml/3/4 pt/2 cups hand-hot water

• 5 ml/1 tsp olive oil for brushing

• 10 ml/2 tsp sea salt

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Method:

1. Sift the flour and salt into a large bowl and add the yeast, oil, sage and garlic. Mix with enough hot water to form a soft dough.

2. Turn out the dough on to a floured board, knead for 10 minutes and return to the bowl.

3. Cover with Clingfilm (plastic wrap) and leave to rise in a warm place for 2 hours.

4. Knead the dough again for 3-4 minutes and form into 4 loaves. Place on oiled baking sheets. Allow to stand for to minutes.

5. Brush the surface of each loaf with oil, sprinkle with sea salt and leave for a further 10 minutes.

6. Bake in a preheated oven at 200°C/400°F/gas mark 6 for 12-15 minutes or until the bases sound hollow when tapped.