Who doesn’t love homemade yeast bread? The aroma of a fresh – hot piping loaf coming out of the oven, the smell wafting in the air. The taste of a warm slice of bread slathered with butter that just lifts your inner being to a new level. If you haven’t figured it out… this post is on some highly addictive, easy & delicious artisan bread.
We certainly love fresh bread but I know my husband loves it even more. He grew up in a house where his momma, who up to a year ago, still loved baking fresh yeast bread. So I don’t blame the guy! Me—well, I grew up in a house where my momma made a batch of flour tortillas everyday for many- many years. I know how delicious those memories are! Well, and how good homemade bread or tortillas are! LOL
Homemade Bread
For many years I had a bread machine and we had fresh loaves often. My machine cratered a few years ago and I never replaced it. My sweet husband every now and then gets an urge for homemade yeast bread and then attempts the feat but doesn’t realize how complicated most yeast bread recipes can be – especially to a novice baker. A few weeks ago, he got the urge folks. His bread didn’t rise at all. So it went in the trash. Mind you, flour is not cheap and I don’t like waste of any sort. Four cups of flour going in the trash- argh!@$%@
Isn’t it nice to surprise your spouse every now and then? That’s what I decided to do with a loaf of fresh bread because he was grilling steaks for us and the pairing of this bread with a grilled steak and baked potatoes was the perfect meal for a Friday night! Guys, if you’ve never made artisan bread before- don’t feel intimidated by bread making. This is one of the easiest ways to prepare it and you will love the taste. The other great thing about this bread is that you can flavor it up with whatever spices or cheeses, or toppings that you want.
In this particular loaf, I added cracked pepper, rosemary and sea salt. A perfect combination!
Easy & Delicious Artisan Bread
With a few basic ingredients you will have a fresh loaf of rustic bread, the perfect companion for soup, salad or a stew. And who doesn’t want that on a cold winter day? The ingredients for this bread: flour, salt, yeast, water & whatever else you want to add!
*One thing to know ahead of time is that you just need 1 1/2 hours prior to needing the bread—so it can rise and do it’s thing. Then have butter, savory seasoned olive oil for dipping, or whatever you want to serve it with!
Ingredients
- 1 package (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
- 2 cups lukewarm water
- 1/2 T salt
- 4 1/3 cups all-purpose (unbleached) flour
- olive oil
- rosemary
- cracked pepper
- sea salt
Instructions
- Combine yeast and warm water in a large bowl, stir and let sit for 5 minutes.
- Using a wooden spoon add in 1 cup of the flour and then the salt and mix until combined.
- Stir in the rest of the flour, one cup at a time, until completely incorporated.
- Cover with plastic wrap.
- Allow to rise for 1 hour.
- Do not punch down the dough.
- Lightly oil the bottom of a large cast iron skillet.
- Sprinkle a good amount of flour on top of the dough and then cover hands with flour.
- Take all of the dough and shape into a disk. (it will be sticky)
- Place in the skillet, cover loosely with a towel, and allow to rise for another 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 400ºF.
- Drizzle a little more oil over the top of the bread, and slash the dough with a knife creating an X. Sprinkle with sea salt, crushed rosemary, and cracked pepper.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes until the top is a deep brown color.
This bread is great the next day too! If you’re lucky enough to have any leftovers!
Tips:
- I usually buy my yeast and store it in the freezer.
- Spread a little bacon grease or olive oil in your skillet and place in the oven to warm up—-it speeds up the 2nd round of rising time!
- If you don’t have a cast iron skillet- no worry! Oil or place parchment paper on the bottom of a dutch oven or roasting pan and use that!
- ENJOY my bread lovers!
❤︎
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