Braided Herb Bread
One of the benefits about baking your own bread is the aroma. The house gets filled with the most wonderful smells. In this case, the experience is even better because the breads I baked are filled with herbs and shallots, so those fragrances are also in the mix.
I like to make these loaves in braids and place them on a baking sheet- but they could just as easily be baked in bread pans for more traditional loaves. Great for sandwiches.
I like to toast some of this bread, and use as croutons or as a base for stuffing.
You can also slice the bread, brush with softened butter, then toast, for a twist on garlic bread. The garlic is already in the bread, but feel free to add more to the butter, before brushing it on the bread.
Braided Herb Bread
5 ½ -6 ½ c. flour
2 packages quick rising yeast
¼ c. sauteed shallots
2 T. each dried marjoram and parsley
1 T. each dried oregano and minced garlic
1 T. honey
2 t. dried thyme
2 t. salt
¼ c. olive oil
2 ¼ c. hot water
In a mixing bowl combine 2 c. of flour with the rest of the
ingredients and mix until smooth. Beat with electric mixer 4 minutes
then add 1-cup additional flour and beat 1 minute longer. Stir in flour ½
cup at a time until soft dough forms. Turn onto surface and knead,
adding flour gradually until dough is smooth and elastic. Place dough in
lightly greased bowl and turn to cover. Cover with a towel and let rise
until doubled, about 30 minutes. Turn dough onto surface and cut in
half. Cut each half into thirds. Roll each piece of dough into an
18-inch rope. Loosely braid three ropes together and repeat with the
remaining dough. Place on greased baking sheet and cover until doubled
in size, about 20 minutes.
Bake in a preheated 375-degree oven for 25-30 minutes, or until bread sounds hollow when tapped lightly. Makes 2.
Variation: Whole wheat: Add 2 cups of whole-wheat flour to replace 2
cups of white flour. Also try adding ¼ c. of wheat germ, oat bran or 2
tablespoons of seeds (sesame, pumpkin, sunflower, poppy, etc.)
Regular yeast can be used, but rising times will be longer and water should be warm, not hot.
