Rosemary Bread

If you've ever been to Macaroni Grill, you have eaten their amazing, salty, buttery, herby, rosemary bread (and then was too full to eat your dinner.)  I made Pasta Fagioli soup for dinner last night and wanted some good bread to go with it.  I did a google search and found a great, easy recipe for this bread on someone else's food blog (though I tweaked it a bit). It really does taste like the bread from Macaroni Grill...and it is especially delicious dipped in olive oil mixed with salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and minced garlic.  I've never made bread before. I don't know what I was so afraid of!  I am getting super hungry thinking about this bread again...gonna go steal a chunk for a snack. 

Rosemary Bread
adapted from Macaroni Grill Bread


Yield: 2 small loaves

Time: 2 hours start to finish


1 packet active dry yeast
1 Cup warm water
1/4 tsp sugar
3 Tbs olive oil
2 1/2 Cups flour (I used bread flour, but all purpose would probably work just fine)
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp Italian Seasoning (w/ no salt)
1/4 tsp cracked black pepper
1 1/2 tsp dried rosemary

1 egg, beaten
1 Tbs melted butter and a pinch of kosher/sea salt


1. In the bottom of your mixer combine water, yeast and sugar. Mix it around a bit with a spoon and let it sit for 5 minutes.

2. Add the salt, oil, spices, and 1 C flour. Mix for 30 seconds to incorporate.

3. Add the rest of the flour about 1/2 C at a time, while the mixer continues to mix.

4. When all of the flour is incorporated mix on high for about 7 minutes.

5. Cover your mixing bowl with a kitchen towel and let it rise for about 40 minutes, or until doubled in size.

9. Divide the dough into 2 parts. Shape into balls and place on a sprayed cookie sheet, or a cooking stone with a bit of olive oil on it.


10. Spray a sharp knife with cooking spray and cut 2 slits in the top of the bread.

11. In a small bowl whisk an egg until frothy. Brush the egg all over the top of the loaf and into the cracks.


12. Place the loaves into a warm oven. (I set mine to 170) Let them rise until doubled in size, about 15 minutes.

13. Turn your oven up to 370 degrees and bake for about 30 minutes, or until golden brown. (Temperature inside at 190 degrees means its done)

14. When the loaves come out of the oven, place them on a cooling rack. Brush butter over the tops and sprinkle a little bit of salt over the top of the butter.