Monday, August 31, 2009

Whatever you do...

Make this bread!

Our neighborhood has several bakeries, excellent bakeries from what we have tasted. However, when my husband tasted his first bite of this bread, he said, and I quote:

"Mmmm, where did you get this bread?"

To which I replied, "I made it."

The rest of the conversation was inarticulate, a series of grunts and groans and happy husband sounds. I think that I heard "make again" somewhere in there.

Herbes de Provence Bread

1 cup warm water
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
3 1/2 teaspoons Herbes de Provence (or italian herbs, or a mix of italian herbs and rosmary, or whatever herbs you like in your bread)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 1/2 cups flour

Using a dough hook, mix the water, sugar and yeast in the bowl of a stand mixer. Let the mixture stand for 5 minutes, or until bubbly. Add 1/2 cup flour, the salt, olive oil, herbs and pepper and mix, on medium speed, for a minute or two. Gradually add the rest of the flour, mixing on low speed until all of the flour is incorporated, and the dough starts to pull away from the bowl, about 6 minutes. Grease a clean bowl, and transfer the dough to the greased bowl. Cover with a damp towel and let rise in a warm place for an hour. Press the dough down, and transfer to a baking sheet (or a pizza stone, your call). Form the dough into a loaf shape, cover with the towel, and let the dough rise for another hour. Carefully remove the towel (some of the dough may want to cling to it), and bake the dough at 375° for about 30 minutes.

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9 comments :

The Fearless Fowler said...

Yum! This sounds amazing, and nothing makes a house (or apartment) feel homey like the smell of fresh bread. I have a quick question: did you use dried herbs or fresh? Can't wait to make this with my next Italian dinner!

Dorothy at Belle of the Kitchen said...

I used dried--better stocked Target stores have a good herbes de provence mix, believe it or not! But you certainly could use a mix of whatever dried herbs, and I think fresh rosemary would be great.

Sarah Barry said...

this looks so good i can almost taste it. i'm going to make this soon. great photos.

Chandra said...

It's in the oven right now! :)

Chandra said...

I should comment that this bread was FABULOUS. It smelled heavenly while it was cooking and our kids asked if we could have it "every day" now.

BTW, I have two recipes I want to send you, if you send me your e-mail. I'm at chandra.mininger@gmail.com

megan said...

I saw this on tasty kitchen and I'm hooked! I love to try new bread recipes (which you can easily tell from my blog), and I just bought herbs d'provence and didn't know what to do with it! Now I know! If I can keep my Saturday free enough, this will be my weekend project :)

Dorothy at Belle of the Kitchen said...

Megan, I hope that you enjoy it, and have fun baking in the meanwhile! I'll be watching your blog for your opinion (and your husbands--I love the rating scale!!!).

megan said...

I officially love this bread :) Perfect with an Italian meal! Although we kind of devoured it right out of the oven. I put my blog post up. :)

Pour l'amour de la vie said...

It is in the oven right now....it smells wonderful!!!