Italian Onion Herb Bread
Prize winning bread by Anne Miller
2 pkg. active dry yeast
1 Tbs. brown sugar
2 tsp. salt
1 cup warm water (100 to 110 degrees)
1 cup milk
2 Tbs. vegetable oil (divided)
1/3 cup finely chopped onion
1 or 2 Tbs. Italian Herb Mix
5½ to 6 cups of Hodgson Mills Naturally White Flour
Sauté onions in 1 tablespoon of the oil until translucent but not browned. Remove pan from heat and add remaining oil, herbs and milk---set aside to cool to lukewarm. Dissolve yeast in warm water with a pinch of the sugar. Let stand 10 minutes until foamy. In a large mixing bowl, combine milk, salt, and onion/herb mixture. Stir in yeast and remainder of sugar. Add 2 cups of flour and mix thoroughly. Add three more cups of flour, one cup at a time. About ¼ cup at a time, add enough of the remaining flour to make a moderately stiff dough. Turn out onto a lightly floured board and knead for 6 to 8 minutes, until dough is smooth, shiny and slightly sticky. Lightly oil the surface of the dough, and place in the rinsed bowl covered with a dish towel, in a warm place free from drafts. Let rise until doubled, about one hour. Punch dough down and knead again for about one minute. Form into loaves and place in greased pans. Let rise again for 30 to 45 minutes, until nearly. Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes or until golden brown and loaves sound hollow when tapped. Cool on racks.
Notes
---The aroma of the finished loaves is completely irresistible. It’s good on the side of any pasta dish, and is delicious sliced into rounds and served with salami and cheese. You can use sandwich loaf pans if you like, but I prefer to make the long Italian style loaves, either on a baking sheet or in the “w” pans designed specifically for long loaves.
---The first time you make this bread, use only one tablespoon of herb mix, and see if that’s enough for your palate. If not, increase it to two.
---You can try other of herbs in this recipe as well. I made it once with a combination of lovage, savory and parsley, and the community devoured six large loaves at a single meal!
---If you are short on time, omit the onions and just warm the milk to 110 degrees before adding it to other ingredients along with the oil.
1 Tbs. brown sugar
2 tsp. salt
1 cup warm water (100 to 110 degrees)
1 cup milk
2 Tbs. vegetable oil (divided)
1/3 cup finely chopped onion
1 or 2 Tbs. Italian Herb Mix
5½ to 6 cups of Hodgson Mills Naturally White Flour
Sauté onions in 1 tablespoon of the oil until translucent but not browned. Remove pan from heat and add remaining oil, herbs and milk---set aside to cool to lukewarm. Dissolve yeast in warm water with a pinch of the sugar. Let stand 10 minutes until foamy. In a large mixing bowl, combine milk, salt, and onion/herb mixture. Stir in yeast and remainder of sugar. Add 2 cups of flour and mix thoroughly. Add three more cups of flour, one cup at a time. About ¼ cup at a time, add enough of the remaining flour to make a moderately stiff dough. Turn out onto a lightly floured board and knead for 6 to 8 minutes, until dough is smooth, shiny and slightly sticky. Lightly oil the surface of the dough, and place in the rinsed bowl covered with a dish towel, in a warm place free from drafts. Let rise until doubled, about one hour. Punch dough down and knead again for about one minute. Form into loaves and place in greased pans. Let rise again for 30 to 45 minutes, until nearly. Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes or until golden brown and loaves sound hollow when tapped. Cool on racks.
Notes
---The aroma of the finished loaves is completely irresistible. It’s good on the side of any pasta dish, and is delicious sliced into rounds and served with salami and cheese. You can use sandwich loaf pans if you like, but I prefer to make the long Italian style loaves, either on a baking sheet or in the “w” pans designed specifically for long loaves.
---The first time you make this bread, use only one tablespoon of herb mix, and see if that’s enough for your palate. If not, increase it to two.
---You can try other of herbs in this recipe as well. I made it once with a combination of lovage, savory and parsley, and the community devoured six large loaves at a single meal!
---If you are short on time, omit the onions and just warm the milk to 110 degrees before adding it to other ingredients along with the oil.