Shallot Sage Bread

Prep time includes rising time.

• Ready In: 3 hrs 40 mins
• Yields: 2 loaves

Ingredients

• 1  tablespoon butter or 1  tablespoon margarine
• 2⁄3 cup shallots, finely chopped or 2⁄3 cup green onion
• 6 1⁄2-7  cups all-purpose flour
• 2  packages dry yeast
• 1  tablespoon  snipped fresh sage or 1  teaspoon dried sage, crushed
• 2  cups water
• 3  tablespoons butter or 3  tablespoons margarine
• 2  tablespoons sugar
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. In a skillet melt the 1 tbsp butter,cook shallots 2-3 minutes or until translucent.
2. Set aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl,stir together 2 cups of the flour,yeast and sage,set aside.
4. Heat and stir water,butter,sugar and salt just until warm (120-130) and butter almost melts.
5. Add shallots and water mixture to flour mixture.
6. Beat with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds,scraping bowl.
7. Beat on high speed 3 minutes.
8. Stir in as much of the remaning flour as you can.
9. Turn dough out onto lightly floured surface.
10. Knead in enough of the remaning flour to make a moderately soft dough that is smooth and elastic.
11. Shape into a ball.
12. Place dough in a lightly greased bowl,turning once.
13. Cover and let rise in warm place until double,about 1 hour.
14. Punch dough down.
15. Turn dough onto lightly floured surface.
16. Divide in half.
17. Cover,let rest 10 minutes.
18. Grease 2 baking sheets,set adide.
19. Shape each half of the dough into a 6 inch round loaf,tucking edged beneath.
20. With a sharp knife make 3 wvwnly spaced 3 inch cuts toward center of rounds.
21. Place rounds on prepared baking sheets.
22. Cover and let rise in warm place until nearly double,30-40 minutes.
23. Bake in 375 oven 40 minutes.
24. Remove from pans and cool on racks.