Easy Herb Parmesan French Bread
Simple Recipe Has Many Variations For Delicious Homebaked Bread
Bread making has been with us since the Neolithic era and archaeological evidence confirms that yeast was used as early as 4000 BC. It's one of the earliest foods known to man and has long been associated with health, well-being, and comfort. It is a strong religious symbol (the staff of life) and in slang can even mean money (lay some bread on me).
Baking bread is a spiritual activity, hearkening back through generations, connecting us with our forebears for millennia. The aroma wafts through the house and reminds us that there is life here. There is sustenance. Making bread is a little time consuming but not so difficult. Give this recipe a try and “lay some bread” on yourself.
Easy Herb Parmesan French Bread
- 1 package dry yeast
- 2 cups lukewarm water
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons dried parsley
- 2 tablespoons dried basil
- 1 tablespoon rosemary, crushed
- grated fresh Parmesan cheese
- melted butter
Directions
- In a large bowl, mix flour, salt, sugar, parsley, basil, and rosemary together.
- In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in water. Allow yeast to activate and bubble (about 1 minute)
- Pour yeast mixture over dry ingredients, stir, and mix.
- Cover with plastic wrap and let rise 4 hours.
- After 4 hours, punch down dough but do not knead.
- Spray the inside of a 4 ½ by ll inch (approximate) baking pan with cooking spray. Coat the inside of pan with fresh Parmesan cheese.
- Put dough in pan, cover with a clean, damp cloth, and allow to rise for 1 hour, until doubled.
- Remove cloth and sprinkle Parmesan cheese on the top. Bake in a 400 degree, pre-heated oven for 30 to 40 minutes, or until done. It should make a hollow sound when you flick it with your finger. Bread may need to be covered with aluminum foil if it gets too brown.
- Remove from oven and brush the top with melted butter.
Variations
Alter the herbs or omit them altogether. Add a half cup of Parmesan cheese to the dry mix. Try adding 1 cup of your favorite cheese (cheddar, Monterey jack, etc.) for a delicious cheese bread. Add one cup of fruit for a fresh and healthy fruit bread (try apple, pineapple, cherry). Add a half cup (or more) of diced jalepenos for a spicy Mexican bread. Separate the dough in half and put in two smaller loaf pans with different crusts by putting cornmeal or oatmeal instead of Parmesan in the greased pan and on top of the loaf before baking. It makes an excellent choice for Rustic Plum & Apricot Stuffing.
In short, use your imagination. The varieties are limitless. Connect to the past with some fresh bread today.
“How can a nation be great if its bread tastes like kleenex?” - Julia Child
