Italian herb bread

One culinary art the Chinese have failed to perfect is bread making.  Finding good bread, especially in small city China, is nearly impossible.  Consequently, I’ve taken to making a lot of my own breads.  This bread is my absolute favorite bread recipe to bake up.  The flavor is amazing, the recipe is for the most part fool proof and quite simple, and it perfectly complements a lot of meals.  I haven’t posted the recipe yet, because around here the loaves usually disappear before I have the chance to take pictures.  I originally found the recipe here, and it was so good I haven’t changed a single thing!

Ingredients

• 1 cup warm water
• 1-1/2 teaspoon yeast
• 1-1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 2-1/2 cup flour
• 1-1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 Tablespoons olive oil
• 3-1/2 teaspoons Italian herb mix
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• Egg white (optional)

Stir together warm water, sugar and yeast.  Allow mixture to stand for five to ten minutes, until it begins to get foamy.  Add 1/2 cup flour, the salt, oil, herbs, and pepper and mix.  Gradually add in remaining flour.  Mix on low speed for about five minutes or knead by hand.  Place in a greased bowl and cover with a damp cloth.  Allow to rise for about 1 hour.  Form dough into one long loaf or two small loaves.  Make several cuts along top of loaf (to give it that professional bread look).  Cover with towel and allow to rise another hour.  Lightly beat an egg white and brush the top of the loaf for a shiny loaf.  Bake at 375 for about 30 minutes.