Homemade Herb Bread

Homemade Herb Bread

(with or without the bread machine)

Ingredients

1 cup water

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 1/2 teaspoons white sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 tablespoon dried rosemary

2 1/2 cups bread flour

1 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast

2 tbsp of fresh rosemary

drizzle of olive oil (additional)

kosher salt for top of bread (additional)

Directions

Place ingredients in the pan of the bread machine in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Select dough cycle and press Start.

This cycle should be about 90 minutes.

Remove dough to a floured surface, divide in two equal portions, forming into oval loaves, and place on greased baking sheet (or a baking sheet lined with parchment paper).

Press 1 tbsp of fresh rosemary into the tops of each loaf, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with kosher salt.

Cover with cloth, place in warm area and allow to double in size, approximately one hour.

Bake at 375 for 25 minutes.

Serve warm with butter or saucer of olive oil and fresh cracked pepper for dipping.

(If no bread machine is available, just mix all ingredients thoroughly, knead, and allow to rise).