French Herb Bread

Crusty, chewy bread ribboned with a savory filling. This is an authentic French recipe.

Step: 1

In a large bowl combine the yeast, sugar, 1 teaspoon of the salt and 1 1/2 cups of the flour.

Step: 2

In a sauce pan combine the milk, water and 1/4 cup of the butter or margarine until 110 degrees F (38 degrees C). Add milk mixture and vinegar to the flour mixture and blend at low speed of the mixer until moistened. Beat at medium speed for 3 minutes.

Step: 3

Stir in 1 1/2 cups additional flour to form a sticky dough. Turn dough out onto a floured surface and knead adding 1/2 to 1 cup more of flour until dough is smooth and pliable. Place dough in a greased bowl and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume.

Step: 4

Punch down dough and roll into a rectangle shape about 16x8 inches.

Step: 5

In a saucepan heat the onion, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt, parsley and 2 tablespoons butter or margarine until butter or margarine is melted. Spread over the dough rectangle and starting from the 16 inch side roll the dough up tightly like a jelly roll.

Step: 6

Place the bread seam side down onto a greased cookie sheet and let rise until doubled in sized.

Step: 7

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C).

Step: 8

Bake bread until golden brown about 20 to 30 minutes. Brush hot bread with melted butter and sprinkle with chopped parsley.

Per Serving: 206 calories; protein 5g; carbohydrates 32g; fat 6.3g; cholesterol 1.6mg; sodium 365.2mg.

The best flavour of the flour can make a real deal to your bread. Different makers do vary. Great taste or Canadian flours, which are bet higher in gluten, may give you a better rise than standard dough flours – especially if you’re making wholemeal dough , which not always rise as well as white bread.

To make this in a breadmaker , add all the ingredients to your breadmaker and follow the makers instructions.

A dough’s first rising can be done in the fridge overnight . This slows down the time it takes to rise to double its size, giving it a deeper flavour. It’s also a great limit , as you can work it yesterday , then finish it off the next day.