Ingredients
1 head garlic
Extra-virgin olive oil
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
1½ cups water (360 grams), room temperature
1 teaspoon (3 grams) active dry yeast
1 tablespoon (14 grams) extra-virgin olive oil
3 cups (390 grams) bread flour
½ teaspoon (0.5 grams) dried oregano
½ teaspoon (3 grams) sea salt
1 whole head roasted garlic (smashed)
2 teaspoons (3.4 grams) finely chopped rosemary (plus more to sprinkle across the top)
Instructions
Add the yeast to the water and let sit for 10-15 minutes until the yeast starts to foam. While the yeast is activating, stir together flour, salt, and oregano in a large mixing bowl.
Add yeast mixture and all remaining ingredients to the bowl and mix together just until combined. The dough should look a little sticky and stringy and there should still be a little flour around the edges of the bowl.
Cover and let rise somewhere warm until it has doubled in size.
Preheat oven to 450ºF (232ºC) with a Dutch oven or covered baking dish inside. Prepare the dough as described.
Flour your hands and shaping surface. Fold the dough into itself several times until a soft, flour-covered ball is formed. Transfer dough to parchment paper and let sit until the oven is pre-heated.
Score your loaf, then transfer the dough into the Dutch oven. Bake for 30 minutes, then remove the cover and bake for 15-20 minutes more.
Lift bread from Dutch oven and transfer it to a wire cooling rack to cool for up to an hour before slicing.
Notes
For a crusty, chewy loaf, use hard wheat unbleached bread flour.
Room temperature water is best for the yeast. Ensure it’s around 70°F/21°C.
- Cook Time: 45