Cestino Del Pane (serves 4) Recipe
fresh baked bread | extra-virgin olive oil | balsamic vinegar
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Ingredients
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Bread
Dipping Sauce
Method
Bread Preparation
- 1
Activate Yeast
In a small bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
- 2
Mix Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt until evenly combined.
- 3
Combine Ingredients
Once the yeast is activated, pour the yeast mixture and olive oil into the flour mixture. Stir until a shaggy dough forms.
- 4
Knead the Dough
Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- 5
First Rise
Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.
- 6
Shape the Bread
After the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air. Shape it into a round loaf and place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- 7
Second Rise
Cover the shaped loaf with a cloth and let it rise for another 30-40 minutes.
- 8
Preheat the Oven
While the dough is rising, preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
- 9
Bake the Bread
Once the dough has risen again, bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- 10
Cool
Remove from the oven and let the bread cool on a wire rack before slicing.
Dipping Sauce Preparation
- 11
Mix Dipping Sauce
In a small bowl, combine the extra-virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Whisk together until well blended.
- 12
Serve
Pour the dipping sauce into a small serving dish and serve alongside the freshly baked bread.
