Scali

Serves: 3

Presley Zulauf

1 January 1970

Based on User reviews:

52

Spice

46

Sweetness

49

Sourness

42

mins

Prep time (avg)

4.9

Difficulty

Ingredients:

Directions:

1

Press the dough gently into a rectangle, to de-gas it

2

Special equipment: Baking stone, bench scraper, spray bottle of water, and parchment paper An instant-read thermometer and an electronic or balance scale Place a baking stone in the middle of the oven and preheat to 470 degrees F

3

Lightly dust work surface with cornmeal

4

With a bench scraper divide the dough into 2 equal pieces

5

Lightly round the halves and let rest on surface for 15 minutes

6

Shape the rested dough halves into French loaves and let rest for 5 minutes

7

Roll each loaf into a long rope

8

Twist each rope into a braid

9

Spray the tops with water and dip the tops in sesame seeds

10

Transfer the shaped loaves onto the back of 2 cookie sheets lined with parchment paper, cover lightly plastic wrap

11

Place the loaves in a warm place and let rise for 45 to 60 minutes

12

Working with 1 loaf a time, slide the scali, still on the parchment paper, onto the baking stone and and bake until crispy and brown, about 30 to 40 minutes

13

Transfer the scali to a rack to cool

14

Repeat with the remaining loaf

15

In a large mixing bowl, combine the pate fermentee and water and, using your hands, break up the dough into the water

16

In another bowl, whisk together the flour, yeast, and salt

17

Add the flour mixture to the pate fermentee mixture and mix by hand until firm and cohesive, about 3 minutes

18

Allow dough to rest for 10 minutes

19

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface

20

Knead the dough until very elastic and smooth, about 10 to 15 minutes

21

Take the dough's temperature

22

It should be at 78 degrees F

23

Transfer the dough to a large bowl and cover with plastic wrap (the plastic should not touch the dough)

24

Place the bowl in a warm place (about 75 to 78 degrees F

25

) and let rise for a total of 1 hour and 45 minutes

26

After the first 45 minutes, fold the dough and turn it over in the bowl

27

(It will somewhat deflate the dough, but it is gentler than what's commonly referred to as "punching down

28

") Let the dough rise, undisturbed, for 1 hour more

29

(The dough will rise considerably at this point

30

) Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface

31

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and yeast

32

Add the water and, using your hands, mix until incorporated, about 3 minutes

33

(Alternatively, mix in a mixer on the lowest setting possible

34

) Cover bowl with plastic wrap and put in a warm place (about 75 degrees F)

35

Let the dough ferment for 1 hour

36

Take the dough's temperature

37

It should be at 75 degrees F

38

Refrigerate the dough at least 10 hours and up to 36 hours

39

When ready, it will be roughly doubled in size and have a fine network of filaments and holes

40

Make this recipe the night before you mix the dough