Pizza twister bread

Step 1

Place the flour in a large dough with a good pinch of sea salt. Pour 325ml of tepid water into a jug. Add the yeast and mix with a fork for a couple of minutes, until dissolved. Add a pinch of the flour and mix well, then pour the yeast mixture into the bowl. Use a fork to mix it all together until you can’t move it anymore – this will stop the dough sticking to your hands. Now get your clean hands in there and bring it together as a ball of dough, kneading and moving it around the bowl until the dough comes away from the sides. Transfer the dough to a flour-dusted surface and keep it moving, kneading, pushing and stretching it for 5 minutes, or until you have a silky and elastic dough. Use your floured hands to shape the dough into a rough ball, put it in an oiled bowl, and cover with a clean, damp tea towel. Allow it to prove for about an hour, or until doubled in size – ideally in a warm, draught-free place. Meanwhile, drizzle 1 tablespoon each of extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar into a large bowl. Tear in the basil leaves, then halve the tomatoes and finely slice the courgette, adding them to the bowl as you go. Squash, destone and tear over the flesh of the olives and toss everything together gently with your hands. Once the dough has doubled in size, knock the air out by punching it with your fist, then knead on a flour-dusted surface for 30 seconds, or until smooth. Use a rolling pin to roll out the dough to about the size of a tea towel, then rub the red pesto all over the dough using your hands, spreading it out to the edges. Scatter over the courgette mix evenly and tear over the mozzarella. Roll up the dough lengthways, like a Swiss roll, wrapping all the lovely fillings inside, then with a sharp knife, cut into twelve chunks. Place the pieces close together, swirl-side up, in an ovenproof pan (about 26cm) or on a snug, oiled baking tray, then cover with a clean tea towel. Leave to prove again for 30 minutes to an hour, or until it has doubled in size. Preheat the oven to 190ºC/350ºF/gas

Step 2

Bake on the bottom of the oven for about 35 minutes, or until golden and crispy. Turn the loaf out onto a board and allow to cool slightly before serving. Delicious!