Description
Rustic rosemary garlic bread emerges as a simple yet soul-warming creation that brings Italian countryside charm to your kitchen. Fragrant herbs and golden crust promise a delightful companion to soups, salads, and cozy evening meals you’ll savor with pure comfort.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 cups (360 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups (360 milliliters) water, at room temperature
- 1/2 teaspoon instant yeast
Flavor Enhancers:
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary
Seasonings and Dusting:
- 1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt
- 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons cornmeal (for dusting)
Instructions
- In a spacious mixing vessel, thoroughly combine flour, minced garlic, chopped rosemary, salt, pepper, and yeast until uniformly distributed.
- Pour room temperature water into the dry ingredients, stirring vigorously with a wooden spoon until a shaggy, moist dough emerges, approximately 30 seconds.
- Securely wrap the bowl with plastic film, allowing the mixture to ferment at ambient temperature for 18-24 hours until numerous bubbles populate the surface.
- Prepare a 10-inch cast iron skillet by lightly coating with oil or non-stick spray, then dust generously with cornmeal to prevent sticking.
- Gently transfer the fermented dough onto a lightly floured surface, carefully shaping it into a round loaf without aggressive kneading.
- Delicately place the shaped dough into the prepared skillet, covering with a clean kitchen towel.
- Allow the dough to undergo a second rise at room temperature for 2 hours, expanding until it nearly doubles and remains indented when gently pressed.
- Preheat the oven to a blazing 450°F (230°C), ensuring the rack is positioned in the center.
- Slide the skillet directly into the preheated oven, baking for 35-40 minutes until the bread develops a rich, golden-brown exterior with a crisp crust.
- Remove from oven and let the bread rest for 15 minutes, allowing internal steam to settle before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Adjust moisture carefully to prevent overly wet or dry dough, ensuring perfect texture by adding water or flour incrementally during initial mixing.
- Try herb combinations like thyme, oregano, or basil to create unique flavor profiles that complement different meals and personal tastes.
- Use room temperature ingredients to help yeast activate more effectively and promote consistent dough rising, especially during colder seasons.
- Store leftover bread wrapped in parchment paper or cloth to maintain crustiness, and reheat briefly in oven for restored freshness if bread becomes slightly stale.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 0.2 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 0.3 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.05 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.25 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 31 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 4.5 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg