Schiacciata Bread

Sometimes when I'm watching my granddaughters, I search YouTube for interesting ideas. I was watching a show on the a sandwich shop in Italy. The owner was talking about the special bread they bake for sandwiches. It was Tuscan Schiacciata bread. This is my version. I didn't have a square or rectangular pan, so I used a deep dish pizza pan. As a side note, if you are not an olive oil fan, you may pass on this one.

Ingredients:

Preferment 

500 grams oo flour

500 grams  water

1 gram yeast

Bread dough

500 grams oo flour 

250 grams water

6 grams salt

3 tablespoons olive oil

The night before baking start your preferment. Add the water, flour and yeast to a medium size jar or bowl. Allow it to rise over night.

The next day, mix the preferment with with the flour and water in a large container and mix well. Add the salt. Mix well. Let rise for two hours. While the dough is rising stretch and fold it like sourdough bread dough. Stretch and fold every 30 minutes. By this point the dough will be very elastic and slightly sticky. Add the olive oil and knead it in to the dough. Allow to rest for an hour, or until doubled in size.

Preheat you oven to 450 degrees. While it is heating, liberally oil your pan with olive oil. When dough has risen, add to the pan by stretching the dough to the sides of the pan. Drizzle the top with more olive oil and cover the top completely. While your hands are still oily, poke your fingers into the top all over.

Add the pan to your oven and bake for about 20 minutes. When golden brown, remove for the oven and drizzle more oil over the top. Allow to cook at least 10 minutes, then carefully remove from the pan. It will still be hot so use caution. Slice yourself a good size piece. Enjoy as is or slice and top with your favorite Italian toppings and enjoy a great sandwich.