Frese di San Rocco - Bread of St. Rocco’s Bread ___

Frese di San Rocco - Bread of St. Rocco’s Bread

Ingredients

For the Bread:

  • 4 cups bread flour
  • 1.25 cups warm water
  • 1 packet active dry yeast
  • eggs, room temperature, divided, 3 for the dough and 1 for brushing the top
  • 2 ounces lard, room temperature
  • 0.25 cup extra virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing the bowl and the pans
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 0.25 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment dissolve the yeast in 1 cup of the water and let stand until the mixture bubbles, about 3 minutes.

Add in the eggs and lard and begin mixing on low speed.

Stream in the oil and begin adding in the flour gradually.

Finally add in the salt, pepper and the remaining 1/4 cup of water.

Mix on medium speed until a smooth, supple dough forms and no longer sticks to the sides of the bowl. The dough should be very wet but not stick to your hands.

Brush a large mixing bowl with oil and and place the dough inside the bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until the dough has doubled in size, about 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours.