Fresh herb bread

Add some fresh herbs to homemade bread and you’ve just kicked up ordinary to extraordinary.

Ingredients

2 cups warm water
2 tsp sugar
1 tbsp yeast
1/3 cup vegetable oil
5-6 cups flour
salt
1-2 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary
1-2 tbsp chopped fresh thyme
1-2 tbsp chopped fresh oregano
3 cloves roasted garlic

Directions for fresh herb bread

Place two cups of warm water in large mixing bowl and stir in sugar. Sprinkle yeast on top and let sit for 10-15 minutes until yeast rises. Mix in oil, salt and flour. Stir in flour slowly until you reach dough consistency and then knead for five to ten minutes adding in the fresh herbs and crushed garlic. (For a less intense flavour use one tablespoon of each herb but two tablespoons if you prefer a stronger flavoured bread.) Spread oil over the dough, place it back in the bowl covering it with a wet towel and place it in a warmed oven to rise. Let rise one hour.

Break dough in two, knead and form to fit into a loaf pan. Let rise again for 20 minutes to one hour.

Cook at 350 F for approximately 30 minutes.

Brush with olive oil and cornmeal just before the bread has finished baking.

Herb butter

Mix some freshly chopped parsley and chives in butter or margarine and you’ll have a tasty topping to serve alongside your fresh herb bread.

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