Country Herb Bread Recipes

RUSTIC BREAD RECIPE

Steps:

• Mix water, yeast, and sugar in a large mixing bowl or stand mixer. Let sit for about 5 minutes until bubbly.
• Add flour and salt. Mix until combined into a soft dough. (The dough should be slightly sticky to the touch, but not so that much comes off on your hands. If it's too sticky to handle, add ¼ cup flour at a time.)
• Cover loosely with plastic wrap and kitchen towel. Let rise for 1-3 hours, if possible! I've run out of time before and let it rise for only 30-60 mins and it still works, but the longer, the better!
• Preheat oven to 450°F and put a pizza stone or flipped-over cookie sheet in the oven to heat up.
• Fill a baking dish with 2 inches of water and place on the bottom rack to create steam for an extra crispy crust.
• Sprinkle flour on the counter, turn out the dough, fold on itself, divide in half and form it into 2 balls. Don't knead or handle it more than you need to. Add a little flour if it's too sticky.
• Cut an X shape on the top of the balls with a sharp knife.
• Place on a lightly floured pan, then place on top of the hot pizza stone or cookie sheet.
• Bake for about 25-30 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.

BEST FRESH HERB BREAD RECIPE

Steps:

• Grease the cake tin with oil, including the sides and line the bottom with parchment paper. If you're using a Bundt pan or bread pan, line the pan with parchment paper. Add 2 tablespoons flour (from 430 g (15.2 oz)), yeast, sugar to lukewarm water. Using a spoon stir well and let the mixture stand for 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile mix the remaining flour, salt and olive oil in a bowl until well combined. After 10 minutes, pour the yeast mixture to the flour - salt mixture and knead the dough very well. I normally knead my dough like this: If I'm kneading it with the hand mixer, I knead the dough for about 8 minutes at low speed and then for 5 minutes at medium high speed. With the kitchen machine, I knead the dough for 7 minutes at low speed and for 3 more minutes at medium high speed. With the hands, I knead the dough for 10 minutes. If the dough is too sticky when kneading with your hands, just oil your hands.
• In the meantime rinse and finely chop fresh parsley and chives. Peel and finely chop garlic cloves as well. Grate the cheese if you're using ungrated cheese. In a second bowl combine chopped herbs, garlic, cheese and olive oil. Mix well using a spoon and season with salt.
• Lightly flour the silicone pastry mat or cutting board. Tip the dough out of the bowl onto a floured surface and carefully shape it into a long baguette form. You want to retain the air bubbles in the dough intact so that you'll have a nicely fluffy bread.
• Cut baguette (long) loaf into approximately 10 equal rolls - cut it in the middle first. This makes it easier to cut equal rolls. Roll each dough roll in the cheese mixture and arrange it in the prepared cake tin or bread pan. If you have some cheesy herb mixture remaining, just sprinkle this on top. Cover the bread pan with kitchen towel and let rise for another 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 200 ° C (392 °F), with both top and bottom heat.
• Bake for 30 minutes or until nicely golden brown. If you're using a smaller bread dish, just be sure to increase the baking time. Because the smaller the baking dish, the longer the baking time. Also try to use a toothpick or a fork to check the bread for doneness

FRENCH COUNTRY BREAD

Steps:

• The night before baking the bread prepare this starter: In a medium sized non-metal mixing bowl dissolve 1/2 teaspoon active dry yeast in 1 cup warm water. Add 1 1/2 cup bread flour and mix well. Cover and let sit overnight at room temperature.
• The next day: In a large mixing bowl, dissolve the 2 teaspoons yeast in the 2 cups warm water. Add the starter mixture, the whole wheat flour, 3 cups bread flour and the salt; stir until well combined. Add the remaining bread flour, 1/2 cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. When the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes.
• Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
• Grease two 9x5-inch loaf pans. Deflate the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into two equal pieces and form into loaves. Place the loaves into the prepared pans. Cover the loaves with a damp cloth and let rise until doubled in volume, about 45 minutes. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
• Bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the bottom of the loaf sounds hollow when tapped.