Simple Thyme Bread

If any of you know me, you know I love to bake. I've been getting into baking bread more, and this is one recipe that I've somewhat perfected. It tastes amazing and is relatively simple!

Serving Size: 2 loaves

Ingredients:

5 cups all purpose flour

2 tablespoons active dry yeast

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 teaspoon fresh thyme

1 tablespoon kosher salt

2 cups of hot water (120-130 degrees)

Sea salt

Combine half of the flour with the dry yeast, brown sugar, thyme, and salt. Pour in the water (I heat mine in the microwave and really do make sure it is the temperature required) and mix for three minutes (or 100 strokes according to the recipe), stir in the remaining flour until the dough loses it's stickiness.

Knead for 8 minutes using the bread hook (or on a floured surface by hand). Shape it into a ball and put it in a lightly oiled bowl for 15 minutes to rise. I stick mine in the microwave covered to keep it warm.

After 15 minutes it should have risen a bit (not a huge amount). Punch it down and divide it into two loaves and place on an oiled (or greased) baking sheet. Cut an x on the tops, sprinkle with sea salt and place in a cold oven with a pan of hot water on the bottom shelf. Bake at 400 for 40-50 minutes (mine usually takes 35).

I eat it with balsamic vinegar and oil and it's excellent. The herbs can be switched up, and I am sure rosemary would be wonderful for any of you Macaroni Grill bread lovers out there. The steam oven effect from the cake pan of water creates a crusty outside with a tender inside!

Enjoy!