Italian Onion Herb Bread
From Father Dominic's television show, Breaking Bread.
Recipe Link: http://www.breaking-bread.com List of Ingredients
2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
1/3 cup finely chopped onion
1 cup milk
1 to 2 tablespoons dried Italian herb seasoning (see note)
2 packages FLEISCHMANN's Active Dry Yeast
1 cup warm water
1 tablespoon brown sugar, divided
2 teaspoons salt
5 1/2 to 6 cups HODGSON MILL Naturally White Flour, divided Recipe
Directions
Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a skillet. Add onion; cook and stir until onion is translucent but not browned. Remove skillet from heat. Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil, milk and Italian herb seasoning; stir to mix. Set aside to cool to lukewarm.
Combine yeast, warm water and a pinch of the brown sugar in a small bowl; stir to dissolve. Let stand 10 minutes, or until foamy.
Combine milk-onion-herb mixture and salt in a large mixing bowl; stir to mix. Stir in yeast mixture and the remaining brown sugar. Add 2 cups of the flour; mix thoroughly. Add 3 cups of the flour, one cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add as much of the remaining 1/2 to 1 cup flour, about 1/4 cup at a time, as needed to make a moderately stiff dough.
Turn out dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead 6 to 8 minutes, or until dough is smooth, shiny and slightly sticky. Lightly oil the surface of the dough and place in the rinsed mixing bowl. Cover with a dish towel and let rise in a warm, draft-free place about 1 hour, or until doubled.
Punch down dough. Knead about one minute. Form dough into 2 long loaves and place on greased baking sheet or in greased "W" baking pan. Let rise 30 to 45 minutes, or until nearly doubled.
About 15 minutes before end of rising time, preheat oven to 375 degrees. Bake bread 45 minutes, or until loaves are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped. Remove from pans and let cool on wire racks.
Note: The first time you make this bread, use 1 tablespoon Italian herb seasoning and see if that's enough for your palate. If not, increase it to 2 tablespoons the next time. You can use any Italian herb seasoning you like, commercial or homemade.
You can try other herb mixtures 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.
Yield: 2 loaves.
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