Four Herb Bread Recipes

ITALIAN HERB BREAD I

Steps:

• Mix yeast, warm water, and white sugar together in a large bowl. Set aside for five minutes, or until mixture becomes foamy.
• Stir olive oil, salt, herbs, garlic powder, onion powder, cheese, and 3 cups flour into the yeast mixture. Gradually mix in the next three cups of flour. Dough will be stiff.
• Knead dough for 5 to 10 minutes, or until it is smooth and rubbery. Place in an oiled bowl, and turn to cover the surface of the dough with oil. Cover with a damp linen dish towel. Allow to rise for one hour, or until the dough has doubled in size.
• Punch dough down to release all the air. Shape into two loaves. Place loaves on a greased cookie sheet, or into two greased 9 x 5 inch loaf pans. Allow to rise until doubled in size, about a 30 minutes.
• Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 35 minutes. Remove loaves from pan(s), and let cool on wire racks for at least 15 minutes before slicing.

BRAIDED ITALIAN HERB BREAD

Steps:

• Combine 1 1/2 cups flour, sugar, yeast, basil, salt, oregano, garlic powder, and rosemary in a large bowl.
• Combine milk, water, and butter in a small microwave-safe bowl. Heat in a microwave until butter melts, about 30 seconds. Pour over the flour mixture; beat until dough is just moistened. Add egg; beat until smooth. Stir in remaining 3 cups flour to form a soft dough.
• Turn dough onto a floured surface such as a large cutting board or countertop. Knead until smooth and elastic, about 4 minutes. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes.
• Divide dough into thirds. Shape each piece into a 15-inch rope. Transfer ropes to a greased baking sheet. Braid together. Pinch ends to seal; tuck under the braid. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 25 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Brush top of the braid with olive oil and sprinkle with basil.
• Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool on the baking sheet, or remove to a wire rack.

FOUR-HERB BREAD (BREAD MACHINE)

Steps:

• In bread machine pan, place all ingredients in order suggested by manufacture.
• Slect basic setting.
• Choose crust color and loaf size if available.
• Bake according to bread machine directions (check dough after 5 minutes of mixing; add 1 to 2 tablespoons water or flour if needed).

HERB LOAF

Steps:

• In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Stir in the sugar, butter, parsley, basil, salt, oregano, thyme, garlic powder and 1 cup flour. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 5-6 minutes. Place in a large bowl coated with cooking spray, turning once to coat top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour., Punch dough down; turn onto a lightly floured surface. Shape into loaf. Place in a 9x5-in. loaf pan coated with cooking spray. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 30 minutes. Bake at 375° for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pan to a wire rack to cool.

AUSTRALIAN FOUR HERB BREAD

Steps:

• Lightly grease loaf pan.
• Combine yeast, sugar and milk in medium bowl, cover, and let stand for 15 minutes or until foamy. Stir in egg and butter.
• Sift flour into large bowl, make well in centre, gradually stir in yeast mixture, mix to a soft dough.
• Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth.
• Place dough into lightly oiled bowl, cover and let stand for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
• Punch down dough and knead for 5 minutes or until smooth.
• Divide dough into 4 portions.
• Roll 1 portion into 6" x 8" rectangle.
• Combine herbs and extra egg white in small bowl, spread a quarter of the herb mixture over dough.
• Roll dough up from long side like a Swiss Roll.
• Repeat with remaining dough and herb mixture.
• Place 2 rolls side by side in prepared pan, top with remaining rolls.
• Cover and let stand in warm place for about 40 minutes or until dough reaches the top of the pan.
• Brush loaf lightly with combined extra egg yolk and milk, sprinkle with rock salt.
• Bake at 375 degrees for about 50 minutes or until golden brown and loaf sounds hollow when tapped.
• Let stand in pan for 5 minutes before removing to cooling rack.

SKILLET HERB BREAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, sage and thyme. Combine cornmeal, celery, onion and pimientos; add to dry ingredients and mix well. Add eggs, milk and oil; stir just until moistened. Pour into a greased 10- or 11-in. ovenproof skillet. Bake at 400° for 35-45 minutes or until bread tests done. Serve warm.

FLAVORFUL HERB BREAD

Steps:

• In a bread machine pan, place all ingredients in order suggested by manufacturer. Select basic bread setting. Choose crust color and loaf size if available. Bake according to bread machine directions (check dough after 5 minutes of mixing; add 1 to 2 tablespoons water or flour if needed).