*  Exported from  MasterCook  *

                   CASARECCIO (RUSTIC WHOLEWHEAT BREAD)

Recipe By     : 
Serving Size  : 3    Preparation Time :0:00
Categories    : Bakery                           Italian
                Breads

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   1       t            Dried yeast
     1/4   c            Warm water
   3 1/2   c            Water at room temperature
     3/4   c            Biga Pugliese, see recipe
   3 3/4   c            Wholewheat flour
   3 3/4   c            Unbleached all-purpose flour
   1       tb           Salt
     1/3   lb           Walnuts -ÿÿ
     1/2   c            Shelled pistachios -ÿÿ
     1/3   c            Pitted Italian black olive,
                        -- all optional

  Stir the yeast into the warm water & let proof for 10 minutes.  Add
  the remaining water & the biga, then the flours & the salt.  Mix with
  a wooden spoon for 5 minutes.  The dough will not pull away from the
  side of the bowl.  Wet your hands & knead on a lightly floured board
  to ensure that all the ingredients are well mixed.  Turn into a
  lightly oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap & let rise at room
  temperature until it has almost tripled in volume, 3 to 5 hours.
  This dough works very well if left to rise overnight or in the
  refrigerator.  Let it come back to room temperature before shaping.
  Flour your work surface very well & flour a scaper.  Turn the dough
  onto the work surface, but do not punch down.  Divide into 3 equal
  pieces. Work in your filling if using by flattening the dough &
  sprinkling equal amounts of filing over the dough.  Turn in the sides
  of the dough & roll each piece into a ball, being gentle but at the
  same time pulling the skin taut.
  Place the loaves on floured parchment paper set on baking sheets,
  cover with a heavy cloth & let rise until doubled, about 1 hour.
  Preheat the oven to 450F.  Bake the loaves for 15 minutes.  At this
  point the dough should be set you can remove the paper.  Slide the
  loaves directly onto the baking sheets & bake until crusty & golden,
  about 30 to 35 minutes.
 


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