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About the Header Image: Idlebrook Wendy Darling Evensen "Wendy" one of our four Labrador Retrievers.

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Monday, April 19, 2010

Garlic Italian Bread - Recipe


Good morning,

Here's an easy Italian Bread.  It's especially good when sliced, spread with garlic butter and sprinkled with cheese, then toasted in the oven on a cookie sheet.

When I made this batch I made it in small loaves instead of the long Italian loaves because I was giving some of it away.

Enjoy this one!

Lois

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Garlic Italian Bread
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Ingredients:

1 egg

2 T olive oil

2 t salt

2T sugar

1-1/2 oz cream cheese

1 cup warm water

3-1/2 cups bread flour (or all purpose, but not self rising flour)

2 t dried yeast (rounded)

2 heaping t prepared dried Italian Spices OR


1 t minced onion

1/8 t marjoram

1/4 t thyme

1/4 t rosemary

1/4 t savory sage

1/4 t oregano

1/4 t basil

Place all ingredients in large capacity bread machine in order given. Set on dough cycle and turn on.

The first dough cycle on most machines is about 40 minutes. Watch the action to be sure a dough ball forms at least 1/3 way through the cycle. Add a little flour or water if necessary to get the correct consistency.

When first dough cycle finished, remove from machine and place in a greased bowl for first rise. Place the bowl in a warm place such as the oven with the light, but no heat turned on. If you place it out on the counter in a warm place, cover with a damp cloth. This batch required about one hour for the first rise. Keep in mind that the temperature in your kitchen and the mood of the yeast can change the time required for the dough to rise.

If you are using crockery or glass pans/bowls for baking, set the empty bread pans in a warm place, too. I use my second oven with the light turned on.

After the first rise, knead the dough to remove bubbles.

Grease bread pans/dishes.

Divide for number of baking dishes you are using, shape in loaf shapes, and place in bread pans. Instead of the traditional long Italian loaf pans I am using small pans here so that I can share parts of this batch with friends.

When it is finished rising the second time, bake at 350 F for 35 mins. If you are using standard Italian bread pans, bake at 450 F for 45 mins.

Remove from oven, turn out to cooling racks immediately.

Toast and serve with garlic butter.

Click here for more of my bread recipes.

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4 comments:

Wanda..... said...

Your post has me craving your bread this morning, Lois. Lunch today will most likely be Italian!
♥...Wanda

Anonymous said...

I think I'm going to have to get a bread machine. Your yummy breads have me thinking. This Italian bread sounds and look so yummy...debbie

Lois Evensen said...

Hi Wanda and Debbie,

Thanks so much. Yes, bread is a problem for me. I'm addicted. Fortunately, I'm only addicted to bread. Well, maybe good coffee, too. :)

Thanks for your kind words. I just love visiting your blogs, too.

Very best,
Lois

Diana said...

Well Lois, you're gonna do it! You are gonna make me have to bake some bread for my family! I have tired of cooking and baking over the years but this looks so good that I may have to break my golden rule "Mom doesn't cook here anymore"! Love Di ♥