Susans Herbed Italian 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.

ITALIAN HERB BREAD

Steps:

• Mix yeast, warm water and sugar together in a large bowl. Set aside for five minutes, or until mixture becomes foamy.
• Stir in olive oil, salt, herbs, garlic powder, onion powder, cheese and 3 cups flour into the yeast mixture.
• Gradually mix in next three cups of flour. (Dough will be stiff). Knead for 5 to 10 minutes, or until it is smooth and elastic.
• Place in an oiled bowl, turning to cover sides with oil. Cover with a damp linen towel, or plastic wrap. Let rise for 1 hour, or until dough has doubled.
• Punch down to release all the air. Shape into two loaves. Place loaves on a greased cookie sheet, or into two 9x5 inch, greased pans.
• Allow to rise for 1/2 hour again, until doubled in a warm place.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes.
• Remove loaves from pans and let cool on wire racks for at least 15 minutes, before slicing.

SUSAN'S HERBED ITALIAN BREAD

Steps:

• 1. Place the ingredients into the bread machine in the order given. Turn on bread machine and process according to manufacturer's directions for "dough only" use. Do not bake in the machine.
• 2. When dough has completed its first rising, turn it out into a large oiled bowl, punch down and knead 5-10 strokes. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour.
• 3. When rising is complete, punch down again and divide into 2 parts. Shape each part into a loaf by rolling each ball into a long log. Make 3-4 diagonal slices across the top of each loaf with a very sharp knife, cutting down about 3/4". Put loaves on a large baking sheet that has been dusted with cornmeal. Place pan in oven, with a pan of boiling water on the bottom shelf. Let rise, uncovered, about 20 minutes.
• 4. After 20 minutes, leaving pan in the oven, set oven to 425 degrees. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until loaves sound hollow when tapped on bottom. Cool on racks.