Basil and Sage Bread Recipe 🍞

Introduction:

Indulge in the comforting aroma of freshly baked bread with our delicious Basil and Sage Bread recipe! 🌿 This recipe, sourced from Bon Appetit in February 1985, promises a delightful combination of fragrant herbs and wholesome ingredients, perfect for complementing winter stews and soups. Although it requires some patience with its three rises, the end result is well worth the wait. Let’s dive into the delightful process of crafting this savory bread!

• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Prep Time: 5 hours
• Total Time: 6 hours

Ingredients:

Here’s what you’ll need:

Instructions:

Let’s get baking! Follow these simple steps:

1. Activate the Yeast:

   • Sprinkle the yeast over 1 cup of warm water in a large bowl, stirring to dissolve.
   • Allow it to stand for 5 minutes until it becomes frothy.

2. Prepare the Flour Mixture:

   • Mix the whole wheat and white flour together to make a total of 6 cups of flour.
   • Incorporate 1 1/2 cups of the flour mixture into the yeast/water mixture, stirring well.
   • Sprinkle an additional 1/2 cup of flour over the dough.

3. First Rise:

   • Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a damp towel and let it rise in a warm area until doubled in size, approximately 1 1/2 hours.

4. Prepare the Herb Infusion:

   • Heat olive oil in a skillet over low heat.
   • Add dried basil and sage, stirring for about 1 minute.
   • Remove from heat and allow to cool.

5. Incorporate Herbs into Dough:

   • Blend 1 cup of flour, the cooled herb-infused oil mixture, 1/2 cup of water (or wine), salt, and pepper into the dough using a dough hook or by hand.
   • Slowly add the remaining 1/2 cup of water.
   • Stir in the remaining 2 1/2 cups of flour, 1/2 cup at a time, until the dough is smooth and elastic. This should take about 10 minutes if using a dough hook. Add more flour if the dough is still sticky.

6. Second Rise:

   • Grease a large bowl and add the dough, turning to coat all sides.
   • Cover the bowl and let the dough rise until doubled in size, approximately 1 1/2 hours.

7. Shape the Loaves:

   • Grease two baking sheets.
   • Punch the dough down and divide it in half.
   • Form each piece of dough into a 14-inch long loaf and place them on the baking sheets, seam side down.

8. Final Rise:

   • Let the loaves rise in a warm area until almost doubled in size, about 1 hour.

9. Preheat and Bake:

   • Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
   • Slash the tops of the loaves with a knife.
   • Bake the bread for 50-60 minutes or until the loaves sound hollow when tapped on the bottom and are golden brown.

10. Enjoy!

    • Allow the bread to cool slightly before slicing.
    • Serve warm with butter or alongside your favorite winter stews and soups.

Nutritional Information:

• Calories: 1387.3
• Fat: 31.3g
  • Saturated Fat: 4.3g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Sodium: 2050mg
• Carbohydrates: 244.3g
  • Fiber: 25.1g
  • Sugar: 1.9g
• Protein: 32.9g

Recipe Notes:

• Yield: This recipe yields 2 14-inch baguette loaves.
• Make-Ahead: You can prepare the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it overnight after the first rise. Allow it to come to room temperature before shaping and proceeding with the final rise and baking.
• Customization: Feel free to adjust the herbs according to your preference or add additional ingredients like grated cheese or garlic for extra flavor.
• Storage: Store any leftover bread in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in foil. It can also be frozen for longer storage. Simply thaw at room temperature when ready to enjoy.

There you have it! A delightful recipe for Basil and Sage Bread that’s sure to elevate any meal with its aromatic flavors and hearty texture. Happy baking! 🌿🍞