Rosemary Olive Oil Bread
How was the long weekend? I hope you guys had a relaxing one and got some time to get into the summer spirit. I had my best friend visiting so it was a great weekend hanging out with her and catching up. We shopped, baked, went to the gym (after all that baking!), had a movie date and spent numerous hours talking. It was the perfect girl’s weekend. After she left, I started some weekly prep. I figured we should start the week with a warm loaf of bread. This rosemary olive oil bread is the best thing I baked yesterday and I did bake a few things (coming soon!!).
Our local grocery store carries a rosemary bread that the hubs and I love to get every time we are making a fresh batch of pasta and it was the inspiration for this loaf. Remember the not so terrific process behind this honey whole wheat bread? Well, that did not happen this time! This gal has been learning and is no longer scared of yeast. (Thanks for all the encouragement!)
This rosemary olive oil bread came together very easily, under 3 hours with most of that being downtime as the dough rises. First to get the dough ready, proof the yeast. I used Red Star Yeast and thanks to the good folks over there I am well stocked with their high-quality yeast (One of you will be too soon, but more on that later!). Once the dough is formed and kneaded, let rise until doubled for about an hour. This is what the dough looks like before rising:
And here is what it looks like after it has doubled in size:
After the first rise, punch down the dough and form the loaf. Let rise again until double, about 45 minutes before baking.
Easy right?? Look how beautiful and crusty that loaf looks. And you know the best part? It smells great!! There is nothing like the smell of freshly baked bread, especially herb bread in one’s apartment. Just wonderful.
The rosemary in the bread is present but not overpowering and thanks to the olive oil the bread is extra soft. It is soft on the inside with a perfectly crunchy crust. I think this bread is best enjoyed warm and that is how we enjoyed half of it last night; warm, right out of the oven. But wrapping in an airtight container at room temperature will preserve it for a few days.
I am no longer in camp yeast phobia!!! Thank you Red Star Yeast for helping me along this journey. I know I still have a long way to go but with everything, it will take practice and patience. But now that the fear is gone, I can’t wait to fill my house with the sweet smell of fresh bread and get my carb-overload on!
Rosemary Olive Oil Bread
This rosemary olive oil bread is very soft on the inside with a golden crunchy crust.
Ingredients
For Dough
- โข 1 cup warm water (110 degrees F)
- โข 1 tablespoon sugar
- โข 1 package Red Star active dry yeast (about 2ยผ teaspoons)
- โข 1 ยฝ cups all-purpose flour
- โข ยฝ cup bread flour + more for kneading
- โข 2 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
- โข ยผ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- โข ยผ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- โข ยฝ teaspoon salt
- โข 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- โข 2 tablespoon cornmeal
- โข 1 egg + 1 tablespoon water, lightly beaten
- โข 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped for sprinkling
- โข 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt for sprinkling (optional)
Instructions
- Combine the warm water, sugar and yeast in a small bowl. Let sit for 10 minutes to proof.
- In a medium bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer if using, whisk together the flours, rosemary, Italian seasoning, black pepper and salt. Add the yeast mixture together with the olive oil. Mix until just combined and dough starts to form. Transfer to a well-floured surface and knead for 5 minutes until dough is elastic. OR using the hook attachment of a stand mixer, knead for 5 minutes. If dough is sticky, add in some flour, a tablespoon at a time.
- Lightly grease a bowl and transfer dough to it. Cover with a towel and place in a warm area and let rise until dough doubles in size, about an hour.
- Once dough has risen, punch it down and transfer to a lightly floured surface. Form into a round or long loaf. Dust a pizza stone or pan with the cornmeal and place the loaf on top. (I used a round pizza pan and lined it with parchment paper. Dusted the parchment with cornmeal and placed the loaf on there.) Cover the loaf with a damp towel and let rise for 45 minutes.
- About 30 minutes into dough rising, preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Place a pizza stone or pizza pan in the oven as it preheats. (I placed two baking sheets underneath my pizza pan to prevent the bottom of my loaf from burning.)
- Once dough has risen, brush the top with egg wash. Using a sharp knife, cut two to three slices across the top of the loaf. Sprinkle with rosemary and coarse sea salt.
- Carefully place loaf in preheated oven and bake until top is golden brown and is hollow when tapped, about 20-25 minutes.
- Remove bread from oven and let cool slightly before slicing.
- Dip in olive oil or balsamic vinegar.
Notes
Adapted fromย Table for Two
Your bread looks so yummy, Zainab
Thanks Chichi!
Teach me your ways girl! I’m a chicken when it comes to using yeast! Although this weekend I made cinnamon rolls with my grandma, and they turned out good! I just gotta bite the bullet huh? This bread looks divine…rosemary reminds me of summer. Totally can see myself eating this bread with pasta just like you said! Dipped in some fabulous olive oil of course ๐ Thanks girl!
Hhaha Kelly, I have no ways. Clearly, I must have you fooled lol! I started with cinnamon rolls too to ease myself into it so I think you are ready to bite the bullet!! Di it ๐ Just think about how lovely it will be to enjoy it!
What an amazing bread, Zainab! The aroma has got to be fabulous, for sure! Sounds like you had an adventurous weekend! Have a wonderful day, my friend. ๐
Thanks Gloria! IT was a fun weekend. The week is going so fast it is making me happy lol! Hope you are having a great week too!
i was the same way with yeast but now after years of trying, i am fine. love the olive oil and rosemary combination…
I think it just one of those things you just have to get into and try it a few times and you will get the hang of it. I’m glad I did. PS: So glad you are back with new posts! Missed you ๐
I adore rosemary bread! This looks fantastic.
This bread looks so lovely ๐ I always like to finish the crunchy crust first.. ๐
Me too ๐
Goshhhhh!!!!! I think I just caught myself drooooooling!!!!! I can totaaaaaalllly imagine what your home must be smelling like as these beauties were baking!!!!!! S-A-L-I-V-A-T-I-N-G!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Smelled so good!!!
I love homemade bread, and this looks terrific!
You best believe I did ALL THE ENTRIES. I need to get out of this yeast-fearing camp I am in!
Yay!! I hope you win to get started.
mmmmm love love love baking bread-and rosemary + olive oil are soooo lovely in a loaf!
I have a jar of their yeast in my fridge RIGHT NOW! Love their yeast!!
You just found something for it!!
Gorgeous loaf of bread!!
I can almost smell the herbs ๐
I love working with yeast, and I’d probably try your recipe soon
Thanks Winnie!