Herbed Italian Bread Recipes

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.

HERBED ITALIAN BREAD

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400°F. Cut bread diagonally into 1-inch slices.
• Mix remaining ingredients. Spread butter mixture over one side of cut surfaces of bread; reassemble loaf.
• Wrap loaf securely in heavy-duty aluminum foil. Bake 10 to 15 minutes or until hot.

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.

ITALIAN HERB BREAD

Steps:

• In 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 of water or flour if needed).

HERBED ITALIAN LOAF

Steps:

• Place warm water, sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, flour and yeast in the pan of the bread machine in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Select dough cycle; press Start.
• Most machines have a 'beep' toward the end of their cycle that allows you to add additional ingredients. Sprinkle in oregano and basil at this time.
• When machine's Dough cycle has ended, turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and shape into an oval or round loaf. Place loaf on a baking sheet that has been well greased with olive oil. Cover with a damp towel and let rise in warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• In a small bowl, mix 2 tablespoons water with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cut three slits on top of bread. Brush entire loaf with salt water mixture and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds.
• Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, until golden and bottom of loaf sounds hollow when tapped. This bread will be hard when it comes out of the oven. Let sit 10 minutes to soften before cutting.

ITALIAN HERB BREAD II

Steps:

• Place ingredients in the pan of the bread machine in the order recommended by the manufacturer.
• Select the Medium Crust and Basic/White Bread settings, and press Start.

ITALIAN HERB BUTTER

Steps:

• Let butter soften to room temperature.
• Beat in other ingredients.
• Pack butter into molds or crocks or form balls with a melon baller.
• Chill for at least 3 hours before serving.
• Can be stored for upto 1 month in the refrigerator or 3 months in the freezer.

ITALIAN TOMATO HERB BREAD

Steps:

• Heat tomato puree in microwave or on stovetop to 100º F-110ºF. Stir in yeast and sugar; allow to stand 5 minutes. Add onions.
• Combine 4 cups (white and whole wheat) flour, salt, Italian seasoning, basil, garlic powder, black pepper and celery seed in large mixing bowl. Beat in tomato mixture and melted butter. Stir in 1-3/4 cups flour; mix well with electric mixer.
• Knead 5 to 10 minutes on a floured surface until dough is smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl; cover and let rise about 40 minutes or until double.
• Punch down; divide the dough in half. Form each half into a round loaf and place in a greased 9-inch round cake pan, or place both loaves on a greased baking sheet. Cover; let rise about 40 minutes or until double. Brush surface with egg white.
• Bake at 350º F for 40 to 45 minutes. Enjoy!

ITALIAN GARLIC BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350.
• In a small bowl combine the garlic and oil and mix well.
• In a small bowl combine parsley, thyme, marjoram and paprika; add Parmesan; mix well.
• Cut each loaf lengthwise.
• NOTE: If you prefer extra garlic flavor take the halved clove and rub the clove's cut side on the cut side of bread.
• Brush with garlic oil.
• Sprinkle herb mix on top of garlic oil.
• Wrap loosely (do not let foil touch oil/herb mixture) in foil and place on baking sheet.
• Bake until heated through, about 10-15 minutes.
• Unwrap and slice.

ITALIAN HERB BREAD FOR THE BREADMAKER

Steps:

• Measure ingredients into baking pan in the order recommended by the manufacturer.
• Put pan into the oven chamber.
• Select Basic Cycle.