Garlic Herb Challah

The idea for this recipe came from the booklet for my bread machine. With various tweakings it became "my" claim to bread making fame. Although I make a 6-braid challah from the dough, it could just as easily be baked off as sandwich bread.

• Ready In: 3 hrs 20 mins
• Serves: 8
• Yields: 1 1 1/2# loaf

Ingredients

• 1 1⁄4 cups water
• 1  tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1  tablespoon  minced garlic
• 3 1⁄4 cups bread flour
• 2  tablespoons sugar
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons sea salt
• 1  teaspoon dried basil
• 1  teaspoon  crushed dried rosemary leaves
• 1  teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons bread machine yeast

• Just before baking in oven

• 1  egg, beaten with
• 1  tablespoon water
• 1  teaspoon sesame seeds (optional)

Directions

1. Load all ingredients in the order listed into bread machine. Water through yeast.
2. To make challah, select dough only setting.
3. To make sandwich bread, select large loaf.
4. When dough-only cycle is done, remove dough from machine and place on well floured surface. Dust top of dough with flour and press out air bubbles.
5. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees farenheit.
6. Roll dough into rectangle, then roll into rope (as if you were making cinnamon rolls.) Cut rope into 3 or 6 pieces. Roll each of these pieces into balls, cover with towel and set in a warm place free from drafts. let rest 15 minutes.
7. Next, roll each ball into a rope about 8 or 9 inches long. Braid, set in baking pan lined with parchment paper or corn meal. Cover with towel and let rest 45 minutes. (I put mine on top of the stove so it can enjoy the warmth from the oven.).
8. Brush with beaten egg. Sprinkle with sesame seeds if desired. Place in oven and bake for 35 minutes or when nicely browned and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.