Herbed Italian Bread

Submitted by Cynthia, Northern New York

Ingredients:

3-4 Cups Bread Flour
2 1/2 tsp yeast
1 Tbsp sugar
2 Tbsp olive oil
2 tsp salt
2 tsp garlic powder
1 Tbsp basil (dried is ok)
1 Cup Parmesan or Romano Cheese grated
1-2 Cups very warm water, add more 1 Tbsp at a time if needed.

Directions:

• Place all dry ingredients in and olive oil in a bowl and beat with mixer on med gradually adding water till dough clumps together.
• Turn out onto floured surface and knead for 3-5 minutes (if using a food processor knead for 30 seconds after dough forms)
• Raise, covered with plastic wrap, in a lightly oiled bowl for 1hr. Punch down and let rise again.
• Shape into a long baguette and bake (on a stone if you have one) at 450 for 40-45 min.

Successes: This bread is perfect with Italian salad dressed with Balsamic vinegar or along side antipasta. I hope you enjoy it, it's a great favorite here.

Thank you Cynthia for this great bread recipe