Pain De Provence Herb French Bread Recipes

OLIVE OIL AND HERBES DE PROVENCE BREAD

Steps:

• Stir the sugar and yeast into the water, and set aside for 10 minutes to dissolve.
• Put the olive oil and salt in a large mixing bowl, and add the yeast mixture.
• Beat in 1-1/2 cups/285 g of the flour, until smooth, along with the herbs.
• Work in the remaining cup/125 g flour, turning it onto the countertop to knead, until you have smooth, springy dough, 10 to 15 minutes. (I found 15 minutes yeilded a much better bread than 10 minutes).
• Cover with a tea towel and set in a warm place to rise to double, about 45 minutes.
• Punch the dough down and shape into a loaf. (I shaped mine into a ball by pressing the dough slightly flat, folding in the corners, pinching them together and then flipping the ball over with the pinched corners on the bottom. I then made three long slices in the top for steam to escape. This is how Laura did it on the show.).
• Let rise again 30 minutes (or not), and bake at 400ºF/200ºC for 25 minutes until done. I brush the loaf with an egg/milk wash before I bake it, but it's not necessary. The wash is 1 yolk beaten with a tablespoon or two of milk. You can also spray the loaf lightly with water, or put a pan of boiling water in the oven to give the bread a crispy crust.
• Let the bread cool a little before slicing to serve.

FRENCH HERB BREAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl combine the yeast, sugar, 1 teaspoon of the salt and 1 1/2 cups of the flour.
• In a sauce pan combine the milk, water and 1/4 cup of the butter or margarine until 110 degrees F. Add milk mixture and vinegar to the flour mixture and blend at low speed of the mixer until moistened. Beat at medium speed for 3 minutes.
• Stir in 1 1/2 cups additional flour to form a sticky dough. Turn dough out onto a floured surface and knead adding 1/2 to 1 cup more of flour until dough is smooth and pliable. Place dough in a greased bowl and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume.
• Punch down dough and roll into a rectangle shape about 16x8 inches.
• In a saucepan heat the onion, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt, parsley and 2 tablespoons butter or margarine until butter or margarine is melted. Spread over the dough rectangle and starting from the 16 inch side roll the dough up tightly like a jelly roll.
• Place the bread seam side down onto a greased cookie sheet and let rise until doubled in sized.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F).
• Bake bread until golden brown about 20 to 30 minutes. Brush hot bread with melted butter and sprinkle with chopped parsley.

FRENCH HERB BREAD

Steps:

• In a large stand mixer bowl, combine 2 cups flour, yeast and 3 Tsp salad dressing mix, reserving 1 Tsp of mix, and mix well.
• Heat buttermilk, water and shortening (or olive oil) until warm (110-115°F), and add to flour mixture.
• Add egg, and beat at medium speed for 3 minutes.
• Gradually add enough remaining flour to make a firm dough, remove from bowl, and knead until smooth and elastic, 5-10 minutes, adding more flour as needed.
• Put in a well greased bowl, turn to grease top, cover, and let rise for 20-30 minutes.
• Punch down, and divide into 2 equal parts.
• On a lightly floured board, pat each one into a 7-12" rectangle.
• Roll up, starting with a long side, and seal edges and ends, turning ends down on seam side.
• Place seam side down on a grease baking sheet that has been dusted with cornmeal.
• Make diagonal slices about 2" apart on top, cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk, about 30-40 minutes.
• Bake at 375°F for 25-35 minutes or until bottom sounds hollow when rapped with a knuckle (or 190°F internal temperature on an instant reading thermometer).
• While warm, brush with melted butter, and sprinkle with remaining teaspoon of salad dressing mix.
• Cool on a wire rack before wrapping.

FRENCH GARLIC AND HERB BREAD (QUICK AND EASY)

Steps:

• Cut loaf into 1/2 inch to 1 inch thick circles.
• Melt butter and mix in all the herbs.
• Brush butter mixture unto the bread liberally.
• Rub a little garlic on each circle and sprinkle with cheese.
• Toast under broiler until crispy. (about 1 to 2 minutes).
• Serve right away.