Real Italian Bread Making

Best known for pasta-based dishes, Italian breads are a category of that countries great tasting cuisine that should never be overlooked. Bread is an ancient food and nowhere has that fact been more evident than in this sun-drenched Mediterranean land.

Focaccia Bread

Focaccia is perhaps the best-known Italian bread, and for good reason. For those who love tangy, spicy bread, there is nothing to compare. Seasoned with olive oil and herbs such as basil and oregano, it is simply delicious.

Focaccia is prepared in a way much like its cousin, the ubiquitous pizza. But this flat bread takes on whole new dimensions. It is rolled out and pressed by hand, then baked in a stone oven. Slicing the top during baking is common, since this removes bubbles and allows for the addition of spices and oil during the process, which helps preserve interior moisture.

Piadina Bread

From Romagna comes delightful flat bread called Piadina which is truly deserving of the name.

Much like Arab pan bread or a Mexican tortilla, it is dry but nevertheless delicious. Lard such as stutto, hot water, and unbleached flour are mixed and flattened with a rolling pin. Then the dough is fried in a skillet for about four minutes until ready to eat.

Ciabatta Bread of Italy

Ciabatta is a delightfully different creature altogether. More like a traditional loaf, with lots of holes inside, it is the perfect tool for sopping up olive oil or eating plain. It is made all over Italy and regional styles vary somewhat. In Tuscany, the crust is crunchy as befits those hardy, sun-drenched folks. When made from biga, as it is near Lake Cuomo, the interior is fluffy and soft.

Italian Breadsticks

Breadsticks, of course, are a 'specialty of the house' no matter what house you are fortunate enough to visit in Italy. There are a thousand different recipes, of course, as every region and indeed every chef has a favorite style. The easiest way is to start with breadstick dough and brush on a bit of egg, then bake at 375F/190C for about fifteen minutes. Then sprinkle on some mozzarella.

For those looking for bite-sized bread options, there is always the croissant-style Cornetti. The dough is flattend, cut into triangles, then brushed with egg and perhaps butter and rolled. A bit of sugar often turns a plain bread into a dessert-like treat. It is baked at 350F/175C for about twenty minutes, then consumed with delight.

Of course, for an actual dessert, there are always Panini Dolci alla Cannella, a type of cinnamon rolls. Potato flakes are often added to give them a bit more airy substance. Almonds make for a delightful addition, and naturally, the whole assembly is sprinkled with cinnamon and smothered in sugar near the end of the baking cycle.

Whatever suits your fancy there is Italian bread that will tickle your taste buds and fill your stomach.