Makes 1 large loaf
Easy
30 minutes
20 minutes
Preheat the oven to 210°C.
In a medium-sized bowl, dissolve the yeast, salt and honey in the lukewarm water. Add the olive oil and ¾ of the flour and mix well.
Dust a work surface with the remaining flour, then turn out the dough onto it and knead until smooth and elastic (add a little more flour if the dough is still too sticky). Place the dough in an oiled mixing bowl and cover with clingfilm.
Set aside to proof in a warm place. When the dough has doubled in volume, gently turn it out onto a well-oiled baking sheet and flatten into a large sheet, about 2 cm thick.
Stud with rosemary and olive sprigs, if using, and sprinkle generously with sea salt crystals.
Allow to proof again in a warm place for a further 15 minutes, then bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until golden brown and crusty.
Break into chunks and serve with shavings of Parma ham.
Cook’s note: The dough can also be transformed into individual rolls by simply breaking off evenly sized chunks and shaping them into balls.
