bread goodness

who doesn't love a church cookbook?

I have two from my own church, and this recipe is from my girlfriend's church in another town.  I chose to try it for one reason - it's name!  Something about the name "herbed peasant bread" sounds so beautifully rustic and downhome.  It also appealed to me because I always have every single one of these ingredients on hand, which means I can whip it up an ol' time (as long as I'm home for the afternoon!).

Yeast breads are time consuming only because of the waiting, but this one is worth the wait!  So without further ado, I introduce to you the accompaniment, nay, the star of yesterday's dinner....

HERBED PEASANT BREAD

submitted by Lydia Krahn (who I don't know)

1/2 cup chopped onion

3 Tbsp butter

1 cup plus 2 Tbsp warm milk

1 Tbsp sugar

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp dill weed

1/2 tsp dried basil

1/2 tsp dried crushed rosemary

1 pkg dry yeast (2 1/4 tsp)

3 to 3 1/2 cups flour

melted butter

In a skillet on low heat, saute butter and onion until tender, about 8 minutes.

Cool for 10 minutes

Place in a mixing bowl.

Add milk, sugar, salt, herbs, yeast and 3 cups of flour;

beat until smooth (I used a wooden spoon).

Add enough flour to form a soft dough.

(keep it tacky for the softest bread)

Turn onto a floured board;

knead until smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes.

Place in a greased bowl (I use a tiny bit of olive oil),

turning once to grease top.

Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 45 minutes.

Punch down, shaped into a ball (I like an oval shape)

and place on a greased baking sheet.

(I used stoneware, so it wasn't greased.)

Cover and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes.

Bake at 375 F for 25-30 minutes.

Remove to wire rack (oops, I didn't do that);

brush with butter.

Cool. Yields 1 loaf

Perfect with anything and everything, as well as on it's own, if you ask me!

Here it is on the side of yesterday's crockpot wonder:

an extra hint:

If you don't always spill flour on yourself like I do,

might I recommend that you purposely sprinkle some somewhere on your person

to prove your bread is homemade! :)

also - see John 6:35

go forth, and bake!