Romano's Macaroni Grill Rosemary Bread

Hunter's Note:

This is an attempt to immitate the excellent bread that is served in the Macaroni Grill Restaurant.

• Total Time: 2 hrs 33 mins
• Prep Time: 2 hrs 15 mins
• Cook Time: 18 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 2 loaves

• 1 tablespoon yeast
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 cup warm water
• 2 ½ cups flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons rosemary
• 2 tablespoons butter

Directions:

1. Place yeast, sugar and water in large bowl or food processor and allow mixture to become bubbly.
2. Mix in 1 T butter, salt, and 2 cups of flour.
3. Add one tablespoon of the fresh chopped rosemary.
4. Knead for about 10 minutes by hand or in food processor about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
5. Add more flour if necessary.
6. Oil a bowl, put dough in it and cover with a towel.
7. Let dough rise in a warm place for one hour until doubled.
8. Punch down dough and divide in half.
9. Let dough rest about 5 minutes.
10. Spray baking pan or cookie sheet with cooking spray.
11. Shape the dough into 2 small rounded oval loaves.
12. Sprinkle remaining 1 Tablespoon of rosemary over the loaves and press lightly into the surface.
13. Let loaves rise again until doubled, about 45 minutes.
14. Preheat oven to 375°F.
15. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until lightly browned.
16. Carefully remove from oven, brush with remaining butter (and salt if desired.).

Reviews

[Brighid]

Fantastic! The best tasting and lightest bread I have ever made! It took a lot of willpower to stop at one thick slice. Yumm. I baked one loaf now and froze the other half of the dough before the second rise. When I get ready to use it I'll thaw it and rise it a second time and bake as usual. Thanks for the great recipe!

[Spoan]

Just made this with mostly whole wheat flour. FABULOUS! Light and moist, even with the heavy flour. Didn't put the extra rosemary on top; brushed the finished loaves with melted butter and sea salt. The herbs could easily be substituted with others per your taste. Thank you for posting.

[Curlee]

I made the dough in the bread machine by first warming the water and butter in the microwave for a minute then I added the dry ingrediants and put the yeast on top. Even though I accidently put both tablespoons of butter in the dough it still came out good. I used 2 3/4 cups of flour and only 2 teaspoons of the sugar. Shaped the loaves and let them rise and then used an egg wash (beaten egg yolk with a smidge of water to loosen) then just sprinkled with sea salt. I also put a pan of water on the bottom rack to help with the crust. Not sure if it made a difference or not. A keeper for sure. Thanks.