Garlic and Thyme Bread... Perfect for your Italian dinners

I was in the mood to make bread today; and, so I did just that.  I searched the internet for fun new recipe, some thing with lots of flavor that I haven't tried, when I stumbled upon this recipe for a garlic thyme bread (on about.com).  One of the many reasons this recipe stuck out to me is that this recipe called for all-purpose flour, which I normally use bread flour and am currently out of it.  Just the smell of this bread baking is enough to let you know it is so delicious; I hope you give it a try, I know we did tonight with spaghetti, it was a perfect combination.

Ingredients

- 2 1/4 cup of warm water (95 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit)

- 2 1/4 tsp of active dry yeast

- 1 tsp of salt

- 3 tbsp of soft butter, divided (1 tbsp for dough and 2 tbsp for the top just before baking)

- 1 tbsp of thyme

- 1 tsp of garlic powder

- 6 cups of all-purpose flour 

1) Add the flour, garlic powder, thyme, 1 tbsp of butter, and yeast to the bowl of a stand mixer (make sure you are using a dough hook with the mixer). Turn the mixer on low and let those ingredients mix slightly and then add the warm water a little at a time.  

2) Turn the mixer speed up to low to medium speed after adding the water and allow mixer to knead the dough for 5 to 8 minutes or until a nice dough ball has formed. Note: if your dough ball is to sticky add a tbsp of flour at a time, with the mixer running, until the dough is not sticky.  Same goes for if it is to dry, in this situation at a tbsp of warm water at a time until the dough is no longer dry.

3) After you have let your dough knead in the mixer, remove it and place it in a large greased bowl, making sure to flip it so that both sides have been lightly greased. Cover with a clean cloth and set in a warm area for 1 hour.

4) After allowing the dough to rise for 1 hour remove the cloth and punch the dough down. (Punching the dough down is pretty much what it sounds like, take a few fingers or your fist and poke the dough down in the middle)

5) After punching the dough down, remove from the bowl and place on a floured surface. Knead for about 5 minutes, then divide the dough into two equal portions and form two15 inch long loaves.  Cover the dough again with a clean cloth and let rise for about 45 minutes. (I have both loaves on the same baking pan for the picture but I separated them after to two different pans to rise)

6) After the loaves have sat for 45 minutes they will have almost doubled in size.  At this point preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, then melt the remaining 2 tbsp of butter.  Use a sharp knife and cut a slice in the top of each loaf and pour the butter into the slice.  Place your loaves in the oven and bake for about 45 minutes.

7) After about 45 minutes or until the bread sounds hollow when tapped on the tops your bread is done baking.  Remove from the oven and allow to cool on a rack and then slice and serve.

There you have it, delicious and flavorful garlic and thyme bread.  To be honest I was a little skeptical at first about how this bread might turn out, with the garlic powder and thyme, but I absolutely love it and can't wait to make a grilled hot ham and cheese with it tomorrow.  

One thing that I do want to note is that you should make sure that the bread is cooled before slicing, as it will slice better and not tear like it would if it were still hot.

Please try this for your selves and if you are around the area I have a second loaf up for grabs if any one would like to be a tester for me.

Enjoy!!