Stromboli is a sort of pizza roll, an easy-cutting bread that creates ready-made sandwiches. Traditional Italian "00" flour makes a lovely smooth dough. Just remember to read the label and check that is for bread making and contains at least 11 g protein per 100 g flour.
This recipe is taken from The Women's Institute "Big Book of Baking" and slightly changed by me.
Ingredients for making the dough:
450 g strong white bread flour or "00" white flour
1 tsp fine sea salt
1 sachet fast action dried yeast (7 g)
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
300 ml hand-hot water
Ingredients for making the filling:
85 g Fontina cheese, grated
125 g baby Mozzarella, torn
100 g black olives, sliced
160 g semi-dried tomatoes
100 g salami and Proscuitto, thinly sliced
grated Parmesan or Grana Padano for sprinkling
mix of Italian herbs or fresh basil leaves for seasoning
Method:
Combine the flour, salt and yeast in a large mixing bowl.
Make a well in the centre and add the olive oil and water.
Mix to a dough.
Turn out on an unfloured work surface and knead for about 10 minutes until smooth. This is how it looks now.
Cover and prove in a warm place until doubles in size and becomes spongy.
Grease a baking sheet or a large baking tin with some oil.
On a lightly floured work surface, roll out the dough to approx. 40 x 30 cm.
Lay the ham and salami over the surface to within 2 cm of the edge.
Scatter over the cheeses, olives, tomatoes and season to taste and sprinkle with grated Parmesan (or Grana Padano).
Starting from the long edge, fold the third of the dough over the filling.
Then fold the top third over, then fold over the loose edges.
Turn upside down and place on the baking sheet, making sure that the join is underneath. Tuck the ends under, cover and prove for about 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 200 C (fan 180 C).
Using a skewer, spike the dough randomly right through to the baking sheet.
Brush the surface with olive oil and bake for 30-35 minutes until golden.
Allow to cool slightly before serving warm or serve cold.
Enjoy your food! Bon Appetit!
