Pesto Bread with Perfect Cheese Crust

Ingredients

• 25 grams fresh yeast
• 2 cups water
• 5 cups flour
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tsp salt
• pesto
• cheese of your choice

Equipment

• Cast Iron Bread Pan with Lid

Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix yeast with water and then add the remaining ingredients.
2. Knead the dough using an electric mixer with a dough hook for 5 minutes (or stir together and knead by hand). If the dough is too sticky add more flour, 1/2 dl at a time.
3. Let the dough rest for 40 minutes or until doubled in size under a kitchen towel.
4. Preheat the oven to 200°C / 400°F
5. Brush the bread pan with olive oil to prevent sticking.
6. Roll our the dough with a rolling pin in the width of the bread pan about 2 - 3 cm thick. Spread pesto on top of the dough and sprinkle some grated cheese on top of the pesto. Gently roll the dough with your hands into a roll and tuck in the endings. Place the dough into the the bread form. Cover with the lid and let it proof for 40 minutes.
7. Brush the top of the dough with extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle cheese on top.
8. Bake on the bottom rack in the oven for 40 minutes with the lid on.
9. Increase the temperature to 250°C / 480°F and take off the lid for 10 minutes for a prefect cheesy crust.

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