I’ve really been trying to keep up with my goal of baking more bread.

But I may have gone a little over board last week. Over the course of 7 days, I had made the Simple Bread, Focaccia, Pizza Dough, Garlic Naan, and this Bloomin’ Herb Bread. I was on a Bread Baking Binge! Yeah, say that three times fast.

 

 

But the moment I saw this Bloomin’ Herb Bread on The Pioneer Woman’s site, I just HAD to make it. It looked so gorgeous with it’s golden bloom–I couldn’t resist!

 

 

And when I finally cut into it and took a bite—-it was H-E-A-V-E-N! I can’t even justly describe the flavor and texture of it. Crunchy, buttery-like crust with a soft but structured interior. SOOOOO GOOOD! I chose rosemary to flavor this bread but I think thyme or chives would be lovely as well!

I had intended to have it alongside with the Corn Chowder but the next thing I knew it, I had pulled out the Balsamic Vinegar and Premium EVOO and inhaled a good portion of it! I couldn’t stop myself! I’m a sick….sick, bread-lovin’ woman.

But in my gluttonous defense, I did share with Bella. That puggle loves bread as much as her Mama does.

 

 

I did, however, enjoy some the next day with the Corn Chowder and later on that week, grilled the last pieces to make a delicious Chicken Sandwich.

I’m not ashamed to say it….it was a DARN GOOD Sammy!

 

 

If I keep on going on like this, I may need a Bread Baking Intervention……

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Pastor Ryan’s Bloomin’ Herb Bread
From The Pioneer Woman

Ingredients:

20 ounces, weight Bread Flour (all Purpose Is Okay, Too) – About 4 Cups
8 ounces, fluid Water
4 ounces, fluid Melted Butter With Chopped Herbs Of Choice. We Like Chives, Rosemary Or Thyme.
2 teaspoons Salt
1 teaspoon Active Or Instant Yeast (if Active, It Would Be Best To Sprinkle Yeast Over The Water To Let It Start To Work Before Mixing It In)

Combine all ingredients together in the KitchenAid stand mixer with the dough hook (it can be done by hand…it just takes longer).

I mixed them together for about 10 minutes or so until I could successfully achieve a windowpane with the dough. This is where you can pull off a small chunk of the dough you’re kneading and stretch it gently to see if it is somewhat translucent. If you can do this without it tearing, it’s ready. Once this elasticity has been achieved, the dough can sit out with plastic wrap over it for 1-4 hours to double in size.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

After the dough starts rising, it should be kneaded for a minute or two so that the yeast can redistribute. Form it into a dome and place in a covered cast iron pan after coating it with olive oil and a sprinkling of kosher salt. Cut a large ‘X’ into the surface of the bread dough so it can bloom!

Bake on the center rack of your over for 30 minutes with the lid on, them remove the lid to finish it off for another 15 to 30 minutes.