Savory Bread (Emilia-Romagna)

Appetizers

Ingredients

All purpose flour - 8 cups

Salt - 4 tsps

Compressed yeast - 3 cakes

Sugar - 2 1/2 tsps

Lukewarm milk - 2 cups

Flavoring - 1/2 pound

Sift the flour and salt into a large warmed bowl and make a well in the center. Melt the yeast with the sugar, add a little of the milk and pour into the well. Work into the flour, gradually adding more milk, and knead the dough until it is soft and elastic, and leaves the sides of the bowl cleanly. Add the flavoring of your choice and knead until smooth again.

Roll the dough into a sheet about 1 inch thick and place it on a well oiled baking sheet. Make criss cross incisions with a knife over the entire surface, cover and leave to rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk. Bake in a moderately hot oven (400F) for 15 minutes, then lower the heat to 375F and continue to bake for about 30 minutes longer or untill puffed and golden.

Serves 6