Puccia (Olive Studded Rolls)

Directions

Stir the yeast into the warm water in a large bowl or heavy mixer.

Let proof for 10 minutes.

Add the remaining water and the biga and mix until well blended.

Add the flours and mix until the dough comes together, 1 to 2 minutes, although it will not come away from the sides of the bowl.

With very wet hands, knead until the dough is very silky, soft and elasticy.

Knead on a lightly floured board to eliminate the stickiness.

Knead in the olives by hand to ensure that they remain whole.

Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl and let rise, covered, until tripled, 3 to 4 hours.

Pour the wet dough out of the bowl onto a floured work surface.

Do not punch it down.

Flour the top and divide into 12 pieces (or 16 if you want smaller rolls).

Have a bowl of water handy to keep your hands very wet.

Flatten each piece and roll it up lengthwise.

Pat them flat, turn the dough 90 degrees and roll them up again.

Shape each piece into a ball.

Set on a floured baking sheet. Toss a hailstorm of flour over the tops and cover with a heavy cloth.

Leave until doubled, 1 to 1½ hours.

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Bake the rolls until they are crusty and golden, about 25 to 30 minutes.