Rustic Garlic Parmesan Herb Bread (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
→ For the dough
01 -
1 tablespoon instant dry yeast
02 -
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
03 -
1 cup warm water (100-110°F)
04 -
1 teaspoon salt
05 -
2 teaspoons dried rosemary
06 -
1 teaspoon dried basil
07 -
1 teaspoon dried oregano
08 -
6 cloves garlic, minced
09 -
2 to 2½ cups all-purpose flour
10 -
⅓ cup grated parmesan cheese
→ For baking
11 -
2 tablespoons olive oil
12 -
1 tablespoon butter (divided for topping)
# Instructions:
01 -
In a large mixing bowl, combine the instant dry yeast, granulated sugar, and warm water. Let it sit for a minute to activate the yeast. Then stir in the salt, dried rosemary, dried basil, dried oregano, and minced garlic until well combined.
02 -
Add 2 cups of all-purpose flour and the grated parmesan cheese to the bowl. Stir until a rough dough forms. Gradually add the remaining flour, a little at a time, until the dough comes together and becomes smooth and elastic. You'll know it's ready when it feels soft and slightly tacky but doesn't stick to your fingers.
03 -
Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl, turning once to coat the surface with oil. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and place it in a warm spot to rise for about 1 hour, or until the dough has doubled in size.
04 -
When the dough has nearly finished rising, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Drizzle a baking sheet with the olive oil, spreading it around to coat the surface.
05 -
Gently punch down the risen dough to release excess air. Divide it into two equal portions and shape each into a round, rustic loaf. Place the loaves on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between them for expansion. Cover loosely and let them rise for another 15 to 20 minutes.
06 -
Just before baking, place a half-tablespoon piece of butter on top of each loaf. Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until the loaves turn golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
07 -
Remove the bread from the oven and transfer to a wire cooling rack. Allow the loaves to cool slightly before slicing. The bread is delicious served warm with a little extra butter or alongside your favorite soup or pasta dish.
# Notes:
01 -
This bread freezes beautifully. Simply wrap cooled loaves tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, and freeze for up to 3 months.
02 -
For a more intense garlic flavor, you can use roasted garlic instead of raw minced garlic.
03 -
Fresh herbs can be substituted for dried ones - just triple the amount called for (6 teaspoons rosemary, 3 teaspoons each of basil and oregano).
04 -
The bread can be shaped into one larger loaf instead of two smaller ones - just increase the baking time by about 5-7 minutes.