Italian Herb Bread
This is a very flavorful bread with a light texture. Would be great served with Italian food, dipped in olive oil and balsamic vinegar. I think it's very pretty when sliced, so it would be a nice bread to serve when having dinner guests or for a brunch.
Its sort of addicting I have to admit. You will need the following ingredients:
1 1/4 cups warm water
2 tsp active dry yeast
2 Tblsp sugar
2 Tblsp butter
1 tsp salt
2 Tblsp dry milk
2 tsp marjoram leaves
2 tsp thyme leaves
2 tsp dried chives
1 tsp basil leaves
3 cups bread flour
Add yeast and sugar to warm water. Let stand until foamy. Place all remaining ingredients in a large bowl. Pour the liquid in and mix well. Knead until smooth and elastic. Cover and set in a warm place to raise until doubled in bulk. Or put all dry ingredients in your bread machine. Pour the liquid/yeast in and set machine to the dough setting.
Punch the dough down and shape into a loaf. Place in a sprayed bread pan. Cover and let raise in a warm place until doubled in bulk.
Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes until golden brown on top and hollow sounding when tapped. Brush top with melted butter. I didn't smooth my loaf out as much as I should have before putting it in the loaf pan so it's a little lumpy looking on the top. Oh well, it's still delicious. Peggy
