Rosemary Pepper Peasant Bread
Ever have that warm feeling tickle you when you smell that bread baking in the oven? I always do.. not just at home but even in the bakeries. I start feeling hungry & want to touch & feel that warm, soft loaf. Yeah! it’s that romantic. From not ever baking to bread… I am here today where making bread at home is theraputic for me.
I love the Rustic breads with a crust top & full of flavors inside. One of these are the herbed bread. Last week a dear friend of ours got us a whole bunch of Rosemary from his garden. I used it in pasta, made some oils. With so much fresh herbs still there I though they would be best used in a bread. This the first time since I started baking that I did not follow any recipe. I used my own measurements & followed my mind quite prepared to have a disaster! But it was not a disaster & I am not ashamed to say that I was very very excited to see the way it turned out! The best bread I ever baked!
So here it is, a Rosemary & Pepper Peasant Bread. Sending it for Think:Spice hosted by Divya of Dil Se started by Sunita.
Ingredients:
(It made a big oval loaf, a small round one & 2 little buns)
- 1 Cup Bread Flour
- 3 Cups Whole Wheat Flour ( More for dusting)
- 3 Teaspoon Dry Active Yeast
- 3 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil (& some more for brushing the bread)
- 4 Tablespoons Finely Chopped Fresh Rosemary + 1 Tablespoon more to sprinkle some on the top (More or less as you want it)
- 4 Tablespoons Freshly Ground Peppercorns + 1 Tablespoon more to sprinkle on the top (More or less as you want it)
- 2 Teaspoons Sea Salt
- 1 Teaspoon Sugar
- 2 Cups of Warm Water
Preparation:
Mix the Oil, Chopped Rosemary & Ground Peppercorn & cover & keep it overnight for the flavors to enhance. (you can make this is a bigger quantity & use it as herbed oil & may be for dipping the bread in it).
Take half cup of warm water & dissolve the sugar in the water. Add the yeast to this & let it foam up & do it’s part.
Mix the salt, Bread Flour & the Wheat Flour. Add the herb & pepper with the oil to this & gently combine. Add the yeast water & the 1.5 cups of water & make a dough.
Knead for no more than 10 minutes. It will be a soft dough. Coat it with some olive oil, cover & keep in a warm place for about 3-4 hours till the amount doubles.
Punch it down & Divide the dough in to 2. Shape them into Ovals or Rounds.( I did a big oval, a small round & 2 little bun sized for my two kids).
This is an optional step just for the looks.. you may skip this. Make a shallow slit on the top about 5 inches long… pinch both sides of the slit, pull & spread it out on the sides like wings .
Make slits like a cross on the top of each loaf. Slightly brush with Olive oil & sprinkle with more Rosemary, Pepper & Sea Salt.
Lightly Cover the dough & let it rise for another hour.
Pre Heat the oven to 400 Degrees F. Bake for about an hour or till the top is light brown & crusty. The bread will sound hollow when you tap it.
That comforting aroma… It was a lovely, hearty bread. A thin layer of crust on the top & flavorfully soft & chewy inside. The pepper added that slightly warm feeling. I made some dipping oil with more black pepper & herbs. We had it with some vegetable bean soup, for dinner.
Sending this For Susan’s YeastSpotting & Ben’s Homemade#2 Bread.
Related Posts:
Potato Stuffed Corn Bread
Tomato, Herb, Jalapeno & Cheese Bread
Poee: Mildly Spiced Goan Bread
March 15th, 2009 at 9:50 am
Wow Soma,can imagine how it will taste with all those ingredients..Reg,lfirst para,i am a follower too..thats a blessed feel dear…the smell wafting around
And a wonderful presentation there !!
March 15th, 2009 at 10:04 am
Interesting!The thought of freshly baked bread with some hot soup warms me up
Nice presentation and wonderful clicks ..
March 15th, 2009 at 11:58 am
yeah, I l love the aroma spreading the entire house when bread is being baked. nothing like fresh, soft bread baked from scratch.
awesome pics soma. can u please send some over ?
March 15th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
Just perfect for a rainy day to make you cozy and warm all over. I know exactly what you mean about the smells of freshly baked bread. and this loaf is just perfect.
March 15th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
Perfect bread n what perfect pics Soma..:)..Its 2 weeks since I baked n I am off to try this one soon..:)..can imagine the flavor with fesh Rosemary n peppercorns..I also feel that warm tingle when the bread bakes spreading the warmth in all house..
March 15th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
Nice looking bread!
March 15th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
the bread looks sooo awesome
can imagine the fragrance when it must have been baking
March 15th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
I always love to punch the dough and roll it, love the softness. The bread is very aromatic and lovely pic.
March 15th, 2009 at 4:18 pm
Love the recipe, Soma. I’m surely going to try this. Will let you know how it goes.
I’m on a diet though
So, no carbs for sometime 
Guess what! I made the Phirni again for some guests tonite, and it worked out beautifully again!
March 15th, 2009 at 4:54 pm
The smell of bread baking in the oven absolutely makes my day. This peasant bread looks delicious, Soma. I wish I could have some right now!
March 15th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
Everything you make is so enticing.
March 15th, 2009 at 5:53 pm
This bread sounds awesome – I would love the rosemary flavor! Yum!
March 15th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
Another lovely recipe and beautiful picture from you Soma. I too am on a diet and trying hard to resist temptation by visitng lovely food blogs.
March 15th, 2009 at 7:53 pm
Soma, the bread’s gorgeous…a nice offering to the dinner guests until the meal is ready.
March 15th, 2009 at 7:58 pm
Love the flavors that herbs bring out in any dish..Absolutely perfect and tempting bread..
March 15th, 2009 at 9:48 pm
Yummy bread Soma! Looks gorgeous. Fantastic clicks as always
March 15th, 2009 at 10:08 pm
Fantastic bread and fantastic spread….I too love to fill my lungs with that sweet/yeasty smell of freshly baked breads,while i pass across the Bakery that is in our lane.
March 15th, 2009 at 11:06 pm
Beautiful, rustic looking bread!
March 16th, 2009 at 12:16 am
Papa loaf, Mamma loaf and 2 little bunny loaves … perfect for a perfect family.
Ami eta try korar shashosh korte pari … though I’ll have to use dried rosemary … ekhane hoyeto fresh pabona.
March 16th, 2009 at 12:44 am
simply incredible soma! love the sound of this!
March 16th, 2009 at 12:45 am
[...] Rosemary Pepper Peasant Bread | eCurry – The Recipe Blog [...]
March 16th, 2009 at 1:39 am
Must be really nice the smell of rosemary… and with the buns… yummm…
March 16th, 2009 at 1:57 am
YAY for you Soma. Fab bread. I’m still looking for rosemary seeds here. That bread looks rustic & delicious!
March 16th, 2009 at 2:51 am
Fabulous aromatic bread SOma..love the rosemary n pepper in the bread…gorgeous:)
March 16th, 2009 at 5:15 am
Ahhh you are inspiring me now, the bread and the setting has such a nice rustic feel to it
March 16th, 2009 at 6:11 am
I love bread, especially spiced/ herbed breads. As for the aroma of fresh bread baking, it is second to none!
March 16th, 2009 at 6:45 am
u r temptin me to try this one,..:)
March 16th, 2009 at 6:55 am
WOw soma the bread looks really rustic and so so delicious.
Till now never made spiced bread, should try them.
March 16th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
Dear Soma, I get a warm feeling simply by looking at your pictures! They’re really lovely and atmospheric.
Hey, I made thepla at the weekend! It was fun!
March 16th, 2009 at 3:05 pm
Awesome bread,love it with EVOO:)
March 16th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
Oh I love the smell of bread also. It does make one hungry. I am also working on baking breads and I have had many disasters, but I am getting there. Congrats on baking a great bread without the help of a recipe! It sure is difficult.
March 16th, 2009 at 8:04 pm
Soma, Soma, Soma! This is awesome! Fresh baked bread and dipping oil! Oh My!!
March 16th, 2009 at 8:23 pm
Nothing quite like fresh rosemary, nor quite like having you own recipe be the best one ever. Looking fabulous!
March 16th, 2009 at 8:25 pm
i love love love the aroma of fresh baked bread. Baking bread without a recipe? Now that is amazing, hoping to see more breads from you Soma.
March 16th, 2009 at 9:53 pm
this bread looks delish. I was waiting for some warm weather to start yeast baking this year… but suddenly its gotten so hot… that I don’t want to cook
March 16th, 2009 at 10:26 pm
It looks incredibly comforting and warming Soma! Peasant food is always so delicious isn’t it!
March 17th, 2009 at 1:54 am
Wow they look rustic inded..I love spiced breads as well…
March 17th, 2009 at 2:19 am
looks absolutely delish soma!
March 17th, 2009 at 3:45 am
I find making bread very therapeutic too! I’ve been baking my own bread and pizza nowadays =)
March 17th, 2009 at 5:34 am
this looks gorgeous soma! love the spiced bread idea.
March 17th, 2009 at 8:03 am
it’s a while since i made bread. this looks yummy.
March 17th, 2009 at 8:40 am
Wow Soma! This is an amazing loaf of bread. I always get that tickle when I smell bread being baked. That’s one of the best feelings a food lover can get, right?
Thanks for participating in Homemade
March 17th, 2009 at 9:02 am
Thank you so much all of you!
March 17th, 2009 at 3:38 pm
Soma, I love to come here. Your pictures are enchanting and your recipes make me want to expand my cooking horizons. I’ll have to give your bread a try.
March 18th, 2009 at 3:40 am
Wow….the pics are so good! Totally droolworthy.
March 18th, 2009 at 11:10 am
The crust and crumb were great. I baked it in Jamaica so next time I will have to use half the peppercorns because the taste of everything here is very strong.
I will surely try this again!
Thank you so much for letting me know after you tried it.. The real test is when someone else does it & likes it too! I can understand that fresh ingredients do have stronger taste, & u are fortunate to have such fresh ingredients available.
Thanks again & I am glad that u liked it.
March 18th, 2009 at 12:55 pm
Loved this bread ! Looks beautiful , great pictures as usual Soma
March 19th, 2009 at 5:42 pm
Another lovely click!! Were you doing this for click?:) The bread and buns look so tempting – I know thats becoming a cliche!! Can’t help:)
March 20th, 2009 at 12:02 am
[...] Rosemary Pepper Peasant Bread [...]
March 20th, 2009 at 5:52 am
This bread looks and sounds delicious, will have to give it ago sometime when I have some fresh rosemary around.
March 21st, 2009 at 6:18 pm
So impressive how they turned out considering that you did not have a recipe. The photos look great!
March 26th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
Wonderful recipe. my kinda bread! Thanks for sending it to Think Pepper event!
March 29th, 2009 at 12:55 am
Ben-ami…
Ever have that warm feeling tickle you when you smell that bread baking in the oven? I always do.. n [...]…