Bread.

Good evening, Citizens. Sit up straight. For Tonight... we discuss the foundation... of civilization. Not stone... Not law... Bread. The legions... marched on grain... you know. Durum wheat... Hard... Unyielding... It built the roads from Rome... to the edge of the world... But tonight? Tonight... we require comfort... not just conquest. We shall use Granary texture... You see..? Character. Now... The Trinity... of the dough. Listen closely... I shan't repeat myself. Flour... Water... Yeast... Do not scald the yeast... it is a living thing. Treat it with the respect... you owe an auxiliary cohort. -Tepid water... Not hot, not cold; and Salt... to balance life... With death. Sea salt, however... Mediterranean, if you can get it. None of that common... table rubbish. Now... to enrich the campaign. Olive oil... Green... viscous... liquid gold... from the groves of home. Pour it in... And herbs? Rosemary is standard... Thyme is acceptable... But let us be bold... A heavy pinch... of Paprika. Yes... Paprika. A distinct... smoky heat... Don't look at me like that... Do it. Kneed it... Push away... Fold back... Push away... Fold back... Push away... Roll it around against the table... mercilessly. It is not a request... It is discipline. Develop the gluten... Make it strong... Until it springs back... when you poke it... Like a recruit... with backbone. Let it rise... Patience... is a weapon. Let it double in size... in the dark... and the warmth... But do not... get complacent. It has risen? Good. Now... Knock it back. Punch it down... firmly. Drive the air... out of its lungs. Knead it again... briefly... gently this time. It must be humbled... before it can be great. Shape it... And let it prove... once more. ​ Then... the fire... Make some room, set the dough on the stone... Bake... until it sounds hollow... when tapped on the bottom... Hollow... Like the promises... of a politician. While it cools... we marshal the allies. The Cheese. It must be Smoked... a dark... oak-smoked Cheddar... or a Scamorza. It requires grit... a sharpness... to stand its ground against the Paprika. It is not a garnish... it is a partner. And to drink? Wine... Red, Obviously. A heavy pour... Primitivo... or a deep Chianti. Room temperature... Let it breathe... unlike the enemy. And finally... The reward. Slice the bread... while it still steams. Melt that smoked cheese upon it... until it bubbles... and browns. Take the wine... put your feet up... Enjoy the smoke... taste the heat... feel the crunch... sip the grape... Excellent. Dismissed. Carry on.