Pane Carasau ~ An Italian flat bread with a crisp, cracker-like texture that is seasoned with aromatic rosemary and coarse sea salt. I have also heard it nicknamed "piano paper" or carta di musica which describes it's thinness. It is said to have been first made by the shepherds in Sardinia who took it with them into the pastures as it keeps so well. You might need a little more water or a little less depending on the blends of flours used. The trick to this "bread" is to roll it out as thinly as you can. It does not matter if it is a perfect circle or if it wrinkles a bit as you roll it as it's imperfections are part of it's charm. Once you break it into large pieces no one will notice it's original shape anyways!

 

1 1/2 Cups Unbleached All-Purpose Flour

1 1/2 Cups Semolina Flour

1 Envelope Active Dry Yeast

1 1/2 Cups Warm Water (Approximate)

Salt

 

 

Fresh Chopped Rosemary 

Coarse Sea Salt 

Olive Oil

 

 

Combine the two flours with about a teaspoon of salt. In a small cup, dissolve the yeast and a few about 1/4 cup of the warm water. Let sit until bubbly. Add the yeast mixture to the flour with the rest of the water. Mix until you have a smooth dough. Cover and let sit 1 hour. Knead for 5 minutes and cover for another hour.

 

Preheat the oven to 475 degrees F. Spray two flat baking sheets with oil spray. Knead the dough once more and divide into 8 equal balls. Roll each ball out as thinly as you can to fit the baking sheets, and bake each for 5 minutes in the preheated oven. The breads should blister but not yet brown. Remove from the oven and pile one on top of the other. Place a board or flat tray on top and let sit until cool. To prepare for serving, return each bread to the oven for 10 minutes or until golden and crispy. Remove, brush lightly with olive oil, sprinkle with fresh chopped rosemary and salt and return to the oven for a few minutes. Let sit until cool enough to handle, then break into large pieces. Serve warm. 

 

 

Buon Appetito!

Deborah Mele 2002