Garlic-Parmesan Bread and Giveaway!

It may be because I've been watching The Great British Baking Show on PBS, but I've found myself getting the urge to bake more often lately. So I dug out this nifty little bread pan and played around with my basic bread recipe again, adding garlic and Parmesan. I've recently discovered a great method for covering the bread while it rises. Oven-proof baking bags work very well if you inflate them with a puff of air and close them with a twist tie or the little plastic zip ties that come with the bags.

The bags can be reused for rising or used to store the bread after it's baked. The advantage of the plastic bag over the dish towel covering method is that the bread can rise freely, and you can see how well it's progressing without disturbing the little yeasty-beasties while they're doing their thing.

Garlic-Parmesan Bread

Mix together in a large mixing bowl and let set until foamy:
1 cup warm water
2 pkgs yeast
1 tsp sugar

Then add to yeast mixture:
1 cup flour
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tbsp dried minced onions
1 tsp salt
1/4 cup olive oil

Mix together and knead in more flour (about 3 cups) until you have a smooth, non-sticky dough. Place in a greased bowl. Cover and let rise until doubled in bulk. Punch down the dough and shape into a ball. Place in a greased glass or ceramic pie dish, flatten the ball and lightly grease the dough with a little butter or oil, then let rise, covered, until doubled in size. Bake 50 min in 350 degree oven. Brush the top with milk and sprinkle with more Parmesan cheese and bake for 10 more minutes.

If you're making smaller loaves like those in the photo, bake for 25 minutes and then bake for another 10 minutes after brushing with milk and sprinkling with Parmesan.

This bread has a fairly mild flavor, so if you want something that packs more of a punch, you could add more garlic and Parmesan. I like to dip the bread in olive oil mixed with balsamic vinegar and freshly ground black pepper.

Today should be the release day for the Cowboy Delight novella. It didn't show up on the Sourcebooks list of February releases, but all the vendors say today's the day. I guess we'll see!

Giveaway Link: 
https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/07c2363f59/
Getting stranded has never felt so good…
Lauren Allen is on her way to meet her future in-laws when her car breaks down on a scorching, dusty Texas highway. There’s no shortage of handsome cowboys turning up to save the day, but she puts her trust in local rancher Steve Williams. From the moment she shakes his hand, his warm, calloused grip makes her hotter than she knows what to do with…

Kalamata Olive Bread

Just realized this recipe got lost in the blog revision. Don't have a picture, but it's quite lovely when you make it!

Kalamata Olive Bread

Mix together in a large mixing bowl and let set until foamy:
1 cup warm water
2 pkgs dry yeast
1 tsp sugar

Sauté until lightly browned and set aside to cool:

1 medium onion, chopped fine

2 tbsp olive oil

Then add to yeast mixture:
1 cup flour
1 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and chopped

1 tsp thyme
1 tsp salt
1/4 cup olive oil

Mix together with the onions and knead in more flour (about 3 cups) until you have a smooth, non-sticky dough. Cover and let rise until doubled in bulk. Punch down the dough and shape into a ball. Place in a greased glass or ceramic pie dish, flatten the ball and lightly grease the dough with a little butter or oil, then let rise, covered, until doubled in size. Bake 50 min in 350 degree oven. Brush the top with milk and bake for 10 more minutes.