Rosemary Bread

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I love a delicious loaf of bread.  Through necessity, I have located some appetizing bread recipes that I will share.  Now I know not everyone lives quite so far from a good bakery as we do here at Coyote Canyon Vineyard, but once you try one of these easy recipes, you'll be making your own bread, too!

Special Equipment: Dutch oven with lid (mine is the perfect size at 4 1/2 quart)

Time Management: Including inactive time 3 hrs 15 minutes
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 45 minutes

Here is the basic recipe, then I will share a couple of modified recipes I have tried with success.  

Ingredients:
3/4 Tbsp active dry yeast (not "fast acting")
1/2 tsp sugar
1 1/2 cups water at 110-115 degrees
1 1/2 tsp salt
3 cups of flour (450 grams)

Directions:
Combine yeast and sugar in large bowl.  Add heated water (I measure mine in a glass measuring cup and then microwave for 45 seconds to reach desired temp).
In a separate bowl, mix the flour and salt together then combine with your water, yeast and sugar solution.  Salt and yeast are not friends so you don't want to dump the salt directly onto the yeast mixture without the flour. 
Mix with a spatula for a minute or so trying to get everything into an even consistency.  It will be thick so don't worry if it's not perfect.  Once it's combined, cover with a towel and set aside on counter (not in refrigerator) for 2 hours.
After 2 hours, preheat oven to 450 degrees and let it get up to temp.
Add your dutch oven with lid and let it heat for 30 minutes (yes, empty).
While pan is heating, sprinkle 1 Tbsp flour onto a large plate.
Move your dough onto floured plate, cover, and let rise again for 30 minutes while your'e heating your pan.
Flour your hands a bit (this dough is sticky!) then drop dough ball into hot pan, replace lid, and place in oven for 30 minutes.
Remove lid and bake another 10-15 until bread is golden and crusty.
Cool on wire rack and enjoy!

*Try some of these alterations!  Add the suggested ingredient when you are mixing the flour and salt.  Otherwise the dough will be too thick to distribute your additional ingredients.

- Add 1 Tbsp dried rosemary when combining flour and salt
- Add 1 cup of 1/2 inch cubes of cheddar (and 1/4 cup of jalapenos if your in the mood)
- Exchange 1 cup of all purpose flour with rye flour and 1 tsp caraway seeds (will be more dense, but
   yummy)

Tell me if you try something else that turns out great - I'd love to add it to the collection!!