Rosemary Bread

I have never had the greatest luck with active yeast bread, however, my neighbor gave me a recipe for some delicious handmade Rosemary Bread a couple of years ago and it has never failed me. I was feeling domestic yesterday and decided to whip some up. Our wonderful backyard neighbors ended up with a loaf (I jumped our fence to borrow some of their fresh rosemary!) and Jayse (the husband) downed most of the other one for a night time snack. Here is the recipe if you decide to be adventurous in the kitchen this weekend!

It's not the prettiest picture, but I'm not a photographer. I also don't like looking at perfect pictures of food that look nothing like what it really turns out to look like. SO, here is what my lop sided, uneven, HOMEMADE bread looks like!! :)

Rosemary Bread
Ingredients

• 1 Tablespoon Yeast (I used a package)
• 1 Tablespoon sugar
• 1 cup warm water (100-110 degrees)
• 2 cups plus unbleached bread flour
• 1 1/2 Teaspoon chopped fresh Rosemary
• 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 egg white (for wash over bread to make the bread shiny)

Instructions

1. Proof yeast, sugar and water in large bowl.
2. When yeast mixture is bubbly, add butter, salt, flour and 1 1/4 teaspoon rosemary (saving the rest for the top of the loaves),
3. Knead bread 10 minutes. Dough should be smooth and elastic. This is where the "plus" flour comes in. Through some flour on your work area to knead the bread on and over the bread. You will need to do this several times, BUT try  not to use more then 3/4 cups of flour. The bread will be very sticky at first!
4. Oil a large bowl, put dough in and cover with a towel
5. Let dough rise in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled
6. Punch down dough and divide in half
7. Let dough rest 5 minutes
8. Spray cookie sheet with cooking spray (or use silicone mat)
9. Shape dough into 2 loafs and sprinkle remaining rosemary on top
10. Pat rosemary on top of dough and slice 3 or 4 marks in top of each loaf with a sharp knife
11. Let loaves rise again until doubled, about 45 minutes
12. Bake at 375 in preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, (my oven only takes 15 minutes) or until they sound hollow when you thump them. Wash with egg 1/2 way through baking!

I how yall enjoy! Let me know what you think if you get the chance to try it!