Savory Garlic Herb Bread
This Savory Garlic Herb Bread is a delightful tribute to homemade cooking, bursting with flavor from garlic and fresh herbs. It’s perfect for family dinners or simply enjoying at home.
- Author: Crumella
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf 1x
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Homemade
- 3 ½ cups (450g) all-purpose flour
- 1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons or 7g) active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 1 cup (240ml) warm water (about 110°F or 43°C)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra for greasing
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, finely chopped (or 1 tablespoon dried)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped (or 1 tablespoon dried)
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt (for topping)
- In a small bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and active dry yeast. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy. This indicates that the yeast is active. If it doesn’t froth, your yeast may be dead; try again with fresh yeast.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in the frothy yeast mixture along with the olive oil.
- Using a wooden spoon or your hands, mix until the dough begins to come together. It should be slightly sticky but manageable. If it’s too wet, add a little more flour, a tablespoon at a time, until you reach the desired consistency.
- Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes. The dough should become smooth and elastic. A common mistake is over-kneading, which can make the bread tough, so knead just until it springs back when poked.
- Form the kneaded dough into a ball and place it in a greased bowl, turning it to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until it doubles in size. A good visual cue is that the dough should feel puffy and light.
- Once risen, punch down the dough gently to release the air. Add the minced garlic, rosemary, parsley, thyme, and black pepper. Knead the herbs and garlic into the dough for about 1-2 minutes until evenly distributed.
- Shape the dough into a loaf or round shape, depending on your preference. Place it on a greased baking sheet or in a loaf pan. Cover again and let it rise for an additional 30 minutes until puffy.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Once the dough has risen, sprinkle the top with coarse sea salt. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom. Avoid opening the oven door too early, as this can deflate the dough.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack for at least 15 minutes before slicing. This allows the steam to escape and prevents the bread from becoming soggy.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: Ensure your water is at the right temperature (about 110°F or 43°C); too hot can kill the yeast, and too cold can slow down the activation process. Use a serrated knife to slice the bread once cooled to prevent squishing the loaf.